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80 Illegal Hajj Pilgrims Prevented from Departing Indonesia; Most Detained at Soekarno-Hatta
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

80 Illegal Hajj Pilgrims Prevented from Departing Indonesia; Most Detained at Soekarno-Hatta

From CNN Indonesia · (11m ago) Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Indonesian authorities prevented 80 individuals from traveling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage, identifying them as illegal or non-procedural pilgrims.
  • The detentions occurred at several airports, including Soekarno-Hatta in Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta.
  • This operation is part of a collaborative effort between multiple government agencies to ensure regulated Hajj travel and protect citizens.

Indonesian authorities have successfully intercepted 80 individuals attempting to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia through illegal or non-procedural means. The operation, involving a cross-agency task force, highlights the government's commitment to regulating Hajj travel and safeguarding its citizens from potential exploitation.

Sampai dengan hari ini sudah dilakukan 80 penegakan oleh teman-teman imigrasi terbagi di beberapa tempat seperti Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Kualanamu Medan, dan Surabaya.

— Rizka Anungnata, Secretary of the Directorate General for Hajj and Umrah GuidanceRizka Anungnata detailed the number and locations of the 80 illegal Hajj pilgrims who were prevented from departing.

The detentions took place at key airports across Indonesia, with the majority, 57 individuals, being stopped at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. Other interceptions occurred in Medan, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta. This coordinated effort by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Immigration), and the National Police demonstrates a robust approach to enforcing Hajj regulations.

According to Rizka Anungnata, Secretary of the Directorate General for Hajj and Umrah Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the initiative aims to protect Indonesian citizens and uphold the nation's image. He noted that past experiences have seen many Indonesians facing difficulties when attempting to perform Hajj through unofficial channels, emphasizing the importance of adhering to established procedures and visa requirements.

Wilayah yang melakukan penundaan di Bandara Soekarno Hatta 57 orang, Medan lima orang, Surabaya 15, dan Yogyakarta tiga orang.

— Tessar Bayu Setyaji, Head of Sub-directorate for Domestic Cooperation and International OrganizationsTessar Bayu Setyaji provided a breakdown of where the pilgrims were intercepted, highlighting the significant number at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

From an Indonesian perspective, the Hajj is a deeply significant religious undertaking, and ensuring its integrity is paramount. CNN Indonesia's report focuses on the state's role in protecting its citizens and maintaining order in this crucial aspect of religious life. The emphasis is not just on preventing illegal travel but on ensuring that those undertaking the pilgrimage do so safely, legally, and with the full support of the government, preventing potential hardships and upholding the sanctity of the religious journey.

Kami cari motif dan modus haji non prosedural. Ada juga kasus yang ditangani jajaran di Polda.

— Kombes Pol Pipit Subiyanto, Head of Sub-directorate III Dittipidter Bareskrim PolriKombes Pol Pipit Subiyanto discussed the ongoing investigation into the methods used for non-procedural Hajj travel.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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