Three Indonesians Arrested in Mecca for Offering Illegal Hajj Services, DPR Member: Hajj Must Go Through Official Channels!
Jakarta – Deputy Chairman of DPR RI Commission VIII Abidin Fikri has responded to the arrest of three Indonesian citizens (WNI) by Mecca security authorities for allegedly offering illegal Hajj services through social media. He emphasised the importance of complying with official Hajj regulations to safeguard the dignity of the Muslim community and bilateral relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
The arrest of the three WNI took place on Thursday, 29 April 2026, with two of them appearing to wear Indonesian Hajj official uniforms during the raid.
Saudi authorities seized evidence including cash, computer equipment, and fake Hajj identity cards used to promote the illegal Hajj. The case was reported by the Saudi news agency SPA and has spread across national media.
Abidin Fikri supports the firm action by Saudi authorities to eradicate fraudulent practices that harm prospective pilgrims.
“Commission VIII has always emphasised that Hajj must go through official channels, whether regular Hajj visas or special Hajj, for the sake of safety, security, and validity in performing the Hajj pilgrimage,” he said in his statement on Thursday, 30 April 2026.
Abidin urged the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah RI, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah to immediately monitor the developments of this case and ensure a fair legal process for the involved WNI, while taking firm action if the perpetrators are indeed Indonesian Hajj officials by revoking their PPIH status, repatriating them to the homeland, and processing them legally.
“The government must continue to coordinate with Saudi authorities, while providing massive socialisation so that WNI avoid illegal Hajj offers that lead to heavy sanctions such as deportation or imprisonment,” said Abidin Fikri.
For information, Saudi security authorities arrested three Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Mecca Al-Mukarramah for allegedly engaging in fraudulent illegal Hajj services.
The three suspects were secured on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, based on an official report from the Saudi General Directorate of Public Security.
The three perpetrators lured victims by spreading advertisements for fake Hajj services through social media. Their modus operandi targeted prospective pilgrims who wanted to perform Hajj without official permission or tasrih from Saudi authorities. The advertisements offered packages including accommodation, transportation, and Hajj identity cards claimed to be official.