Hajj Task Force Prevents Departure of 80 Indonesian Citizens Indicated Illegal Hajj

JAKARTA - The Illegal Hajj Prevention Task Force has prevented 80 Indonesian citizens (WNI) who are suspected of going to Saudi Arabia to perform illegal Hajj at a number of airports.

"Until today, 80 enforcement has been carried out by immigration friends divided in several places such as Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Kualanamu Medan, and Surabaya," said Secretary of the Directorate General of Haji and Umrah Implementation, Rizka Anungnata, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, May 8.

This Hajj Task Force was formed in collaboration with cross-agency institutions such as the Ministry of Religion, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Kemenimipas), and the National Police Headquarters. The goal is to be a strategic instrument in ensuring the protection of pilgrims as well as law enforcement against violations of the implementation of the hajj that occur.

The implementation of the hajj not only concerns the aspect of worship, but also the protection of citizens, the image of the nation, and international trust.

"In addition to supporting the Saudi government, we also look back at past experiences, every Hajj event involves many Indonesian citizens who try to go on Hajj through non-procedural," said Rizka.

The Head of the Sub-Directorate of Internal Cooperation and International Organizations, Tessar Bayu Setyaji, said that the prevention of Indonesian citizens who were suspected of illegally performing the hajj was based on the results of identification in the field.

"The areas that delayed at Soekarno Hatta Airport were 57 people, Medan five people, Surabaya 15, and Yogyakarta three people," said Tessar.

According to him, this prevention is proof of the state's presence in protecting citizens. Don't let Indonesian citizens be abandoned and become victims in Saudi Arabia, especially that only the hajj visa is allowed to enter the Makkah area.

Meanwhile, Deputy Head of Unit III of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police, Kombes Pol Pipit Subiyanto, added that during the operational period of the hajj, the police received 95 initial reports. From dozens of reports, some have completed the investigation process or are still in the follow-up process.

"We are looking for the motive and modus of non-procedural Hajj. There are also cases handled by the ranks at the Police," he said.

He appealed to Indonesian citizens to carry out worship in accordance with the rules, not forcing them to go to Saudi Arabia to perform hajj non-procedurally, and to comply with all government authorities.

"We also appeal to the public to pay attention to the main things, in the sense of carrying out worship in accordance with the rules, SOP, and the authority of the Ministry of Religion. Because all parties are harmed," said Pipit.