Indonesia tightens coordination to curb illegal Hajj pilgrims

hartono · Apr 3, 2026

Illustration – Hajj pilgrims perform tawaf, circling the Kaaba after the dawn prayer at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday (une 13, 2023). ANTARA PHOTO/Wahyu Putro A/foc

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is strengthening coordination with other government ministries, including the Coordinating Ministry for Legal Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, to prevent illegal Hajj practices ahead of departures to the holy land.

The Director of Supervision for Special Hajj and Umrah, Ahmad Abdullah, on Friday emphasized that cross-ministerial monitoring is carried out comprehensively, both at the central and regional levels.

“We at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah are also monitoring airports to ensure no pilgrims leave illegally,” he said in a statement issued in Jakarta.

Authorities have stepped up early detection efforts across regions as part of broader measures to prevent fraud and regulatory violations in Hajj and Umrah travel.

Achmad Brahmantyo Machmud, an assistant deputy for immigration governance coordination, said cross-ministerial cooperation is the key to closing gaps that allow illegal pilgrims to depart.

“If one illegal pilgrim pays around Rp100 million, the total losses could reach hundreds of billions if many manage to enter Saudi Arabia,” he said.

He also warned of potential visa misuse, including pilgrims traveling on work visas to perform Hajj or Umrah.

“Pilgrims who depart illegally may be apprehended and subject to penalties such as fines or long-term travel bans,” he added.

Machmud also called for joint task forces across ministries to strengthen preventive measures in a systematic manner, from the preparation stage to the departure of pilgrims.

The ministry views this synergy as a strategic step to strengthen the national monitoring system, while ensuring that the 2026 Hajj is conducted in an orderly, safe, and compliant manner.