West Java Ministry Of Religion: Travel Of PT Alfatih, Whose 46 Prospective Hajj Pilgrims Were Deported Because They Were Not Registered As PIHK

The location of PT Alfatih's fake Hajj travel office is in Lembang, West Bandung Regency, West Java. (ANTARA/Good Ahmad Rizaldi)

BANDUNG - The West Java Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion (Kanwil Kemenag) confirmed that the hajj travel service company PT Alfatih, of which 46 pilgrims were deported because it was illegal, was not registered as a Special Hajj Organizer (PIHK).

There is also the location of the travel company's office in West Bandung Regency. The company is said to have dispatched prospective pilgrims using the furoda method or informally from the existing quota.

"After we searched our data, this Alfatih has not been registered as a Special Hajj Organizer, so it is not registered with the Ministry of Religion," said Head of the West Java Ministry of Religion's Hajj and Umrah Organization Ahmad Handiman Romdony in Bandung as reported by ANTARA, Monday, July 4.

He appealed to the congregation who felt cheated by this unofficial travel to immediately report it to the authorities.

Even so, according to him, the West Java Ministry of Religion cannot immediately take action against the travel because it is not registered with the Ministry of Religion so it does not have the authority.

"Even if the congregation feels disadvantaged, the congregation can report it to law enforcement. So later law enforcement officers will take action," he said.

Meanwhile, the West Java Regional Police (Polda) ensured that they would accommodate people who make reports if they are suspected of being victims of hajj travel fraud.

"Until now we have not received a report," said Head of Public Relations of the West Java Police, Kombes Ibrahim Tompo.