Seven Witnesses in Alleged Hajj Dam-Badal Fraud Examined Upon Arrival at Airport

A total of seven people have been examined by the West Java Regional Police in connection with an alleged fraud involving the payment of dam and badal hajj. They were questioned as witnesses shortly after arriving back in the country from the Holy Land. The examination took place immediately after the witnesses arrived at West Java International Airport Kertajati in Majalengka, following their hajj pilgrimage. The Head of the West Java Regional Office for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Boy Hari Novian, stated that his office, together with the West Java Police, is seriously handling reports of suspected violations involving a Hajj and Umrah Guidance Group in the province. “On this occasion, accompanied by the West Java Police, we are handling and clarifying a viral case related to one of the Hajj and Umrah Guidance Groups in West Java,” he said at BIJB Kertajati. “This shows that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, together with the Police, are serious in handling the reports submitted by pilgrims regarding the alleged violations committed by the group,” he continued. He explained that the authorities are currently limited to gathering information and clarification regarding the implementation of dam and badal hajj in Saudi Arabia. “We are currently seeking and clarifying with the group and the pilgrims about what the dam activities carried out in Saudi Arabia were like, and also how the badal hajj was carried out by the group. All of this is still in the clarification stage by the Police,” he stated. Boy emphasised that the allegations previously conveyed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah are still under investigation and their veracity cannot yet be confirmed. “This is what we are currently investigating. The clarification is being handled by the Police as they have the authority,” he explained. “Hopefully, we will soon discover the truth about what the group carried out. In essence, we are asking the pilgrims and the group to provide truthful statements to the Police,” added Boy. Regarding the role of the witnesses, Boy confirmed that seven people have been questioned so far. They consist of pilgrims, group administrators, and cluster officers who are deemed to have knowledge of the incident. “For now, seven people have been examined, including pilgrims, the group, and cluster officers. All were asked for information because they know what really happened in Saudi Arabia,” he revealed. He added that the examination was carried out after the relevant hajj group arrived in the country. The witnesses were separated for individual clarification. “We separated them and conducted clarification or requested information from the concerned individuals and the pilgrims themselves,” said Boy. On the occasion, Boy also urged all groups and pilgrims to adhere to all the provisions set by the government and not to engage in practices outside the regulations.