RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Directorate General of Immigration has prevented 42 Indonesian citizens (WNI) from departing to Saudi Arabia for Hajj after discovering they were attempting to travel through non-procedural channels.

The prevention measures took place at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, covering the period from the start of the Hajj season through Friday, May 1, 2026. This action aligns with a directive from President Prabowo and Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs Agus Andrianto to strengthen surveillance during the pilgrimage season.

"This prevention is part of our commitment to protect Indonesian citizens from visa misuse and potential legal risks in the destination country," said Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko on Saturday, May 2, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The most recent incident involved a group of 23 individuals, 12 men and 11 women, attempting to board a Saudi Airlines flight (SV827) bound for Jeddah. Immigration officers flagged the group after noting discrepancies between their stated travel plans and their supporting documents.

Initial questioning revealed that the group had been coached to claim they were traveling to Saudi Arabia for work. However, further examination confirmed they intended to perform the Hajj using visas that were not designated for the pilgrimage. One member of the group was identified as the coordinator, while the other 22 were prospective pilgrims.

Head of the Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office, Galih P. Kartika Perdhana, emphasized that these delays are a protective measure. Traveling for Hajj without the proper official permit carries severe risks in Saudi Arabia, including entry refusal, deportation, and legal prosecution.

To manage the high volume of legal departures, Immigration has optimized its operations across 14 major embarkation airports. In terms of surveillance, the department is utilizing the Passenger Analysis Unit (PAU) to conduct thorough risk assessments.

Technology has also been upgraded through the deployment of autogates at high-volume airports like Soekarno-Hatta (CGK), Juanda (SUB), and Kualanamu (KNO) to streamline processing. Furthermore, the infrastructure has been strengthened by mobilizing personnel and support systems to facilitate the journey for approximately 221,000 official pilgrims.

The first wave of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims began departing for Medina on April 22 and will continue until May 6, 2026. The second wave, traveling directly to Jeddah, is scheduled to depart between May 7 and May 21, 2026.

Authorities continue to urge the public to use only official channels for the Hajj to ensure their safety, comfort, and full legal protection while in the Holy Land. ***