Two Indonesian Citizens From West Java Arrested By Saudi Arabian Police Allegedly Involved In Illegal Hajj

JAKARTA - Two Indonesian citizens, namely TK (51) from Tasikmalaya and AAM (48) from West Bandung, were arrested by the Intel Patrol Police (Dauriyah) team on May 11, 2025 on charges of involvement in illegal/non-procedural Hajj practices.

"Arrested by the Intel Patrol Police Team (Dauriyah) on May 11, 2025 in their rented apartment in the Syauqiyah area, Makkah," said the Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Yusron B. Ambary as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, May 15.

Yusron explained that the two Indonesian citizens were arrested on charges of involvement in illegal Hajj practices. At the location of the arrest, the authorities found 23 Malaysians who used pilgrimage visas and had received fake Nusuk Hajj cards.

Currently, the two Indonesian citizens are being held at the Al Ka'kidah Police and the detention period has been extended for further investigation. Meanwhile, the 23 Malaysian people were expelled from Makkah.

"This case has been handed over to the Al Ka'iyah Police and transferred to the Makkah District Attorney," he said.

Yusron said the Jamaah Protection Team (Linjam) of the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah had obtained Consular Access to meet the two.

During the meeting, the suspected kindergarten denied the allegations and admitted that it only helped UH, a Malaysian citizen, who was referred to as the coordinator of the congregation.

TK admitted that he did not know the origins of the fake Nusuk card and was only tasked with helping the logistics of the congregation. Meanwhile, AAM also stated that it only helped take the congregation to the shopping location.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah confirmed that he would continue to monitor and oversee the legal process of the two Indonesian citizens.

Yusron reminded all mukimin (WNI living in Saudi Arabia) not to promote hajj offers without official procedures, given that strict sanctions from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia await.

Large fines up to 100.000 SAR, prison sentences, and deportation will be imposed on all parties facilitating the implementation of Hajj without tasreh.

"The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah appealed to all Indonesian citizens not to be involved in non-procedural hajj activities, and to always comply with the regulations and regulations in force in Saudi Arabia," said Yusron.