Saudi Threatens Hajj Illegal Facilitators Again: Fines of Hundreds of Millions of Rupiah Up to Prison

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, RIYADH – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has again emphasised that residents or citizens transporting people to the Holy Land without Hajj permits will face fines of up to 50,000 riyals (equivalent to Rp230 million). In addition, violators will be threatened with a maximum prison sentence of six months. Violators from the expatriate community will be deported from Saudi Arabia after serving their sentences. They will also be prohibited from re-entering the country’s territory in accordance with applicable legal provisions. The Kingdom stresses that a valid Hajj permit is mandatory for every person intending to perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year. All parties are urged to comply with the rules for the Hajj season 1447 H/2026 AD. Countries sending pilgrims are also expected to cooperate so that the safety, comfort, and security of the pilgrims can be well realised. The public is also advised to report violations by contacting the emergency number 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and the eastern region, as well as 999 in other regions throughout the Kingdom. Use official services. Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenag) through its official social media account urges pilgrims who need wheelchair services and pushing assistance in Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to use official services. There are official wheelchair rental and pushing service personnel in Masjidil Haram. The characteristics of official personnel are, first, wearing grey vests with “Carts Service” written on them. Second, using an official ID card. Third, available at the Shib Amir, Ajyad, and Jabal Ka’bah terminals. “As a form of protection, Indonesian Hajj pilgrims are urged to use official wheelchair rental and pushing services in Masjidil Haram,” wrote Indonesia’s Kemenag on its social media account, Wednesday (6/4/2026). The following are the wheelchair rental rates including pushing services from the Shib Amir, Ajyad, and Jabal Ka’bah terminals. Pre-Hajj peak: 250-500 Saudi riyals. Post-Hajj peak: 350-600 Saudi riyals.