Polri's Role in Hajj Task Force: Eradicating Illegal Hajj and Warning of Criminal Penalties for Rogue Travel Agencies
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Eradicating illegal Hajj has become one of the main focuses of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) within the Hajj Task Force (Satgas Haji).
In the Hajj Task Force, Polri will be involved in an integrated manner with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj), the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), immigration authorities, and other related parties.
“The main focus of Polri in the Hajj Task Force includes eradicating illegal Hajj,” said the Head of the Polri Public Relations Division, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, in his statement on Wednesday (15/4/2026).
“Protecting pilgrims from deception, ensuring security and order, and uncovering networks of rogue travel agencies,” said Isir.
Isir explained that practices of illegal Hajj or those not in accordance with procedures have harmed the public, and it is Polri’s duty to eradicate them.
“Polri’s role in the Hajj Task Force is highly strategic, encompassing prevention, operational security, and law enforcement against various violations,” said Isir.
In a preemptive approach, Polri is intensively providing education to the public about the risks of illegal Hajj.
This effort is carried out through dissemination to ensure prospective pilgrims only take official routes, either through Kemenhaj or Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK).
Polri monitors both official and illegal travel agencies to detect offers of “Hajj without queuing” packages, while also gathering intelligence information related to potential syndicates.
Security is also strengthened at several crucial points, from Hajj dormitories, airports, to the departure and return processes of pilgrims.
Meanwhile, in a repressive approach, Polri takes firm action against various violations through investigation and prosecution processes. Law enforcement is carried out against cases of illegal travel agencies, pilgrim deception, and document forgery.
Several forms of violations that can be prosecuted include dispatching pilgrims without permission, lacking permission as a PIHK, organising Hajj without an official quota, and committing fraud.
In addition, the apparatus also pays special attention to practices of visa misuse and misappropriation of pilgrim funds.
“Rogue Hajj travel agencies can face criminal penalties. In fact, in many cases, the sanctions are quite severe because they involve fraud and violations in organising the Hajj pilgrimage,” said Isir.