Indonesian lawmakers hear from hundreds of alleged victims of Hanania Travel fraud

Indonesian lawmakers are addressing a growing scandal involving Hanania Travel, accused of defrauding and embezzling funds from over 1,200 individuals seeking to perform the umrah pilgrimage. Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR) convened a hearing on Thursday to investigate the allegations against PT Khazanah Tamma Internasional, also known as Hanania Group.

“

We ask perhaps for the victims' representatives first to tell their story. From these two teams, what is the core of the problem, completely, in detail, but without beating around the bush, so we know the overview.

The victims, represented by lawyer Uli Amelia Septriani, claim their umrah trips, scheduled for the Shawwal period, were abruptly canceled. The company reportedly cited force majeure due to escalating conflicts in the Middle East as the reason for the cancellations.

However, victims expressed anger and frustration, stating that Hanania Travel has offered no mitigation or solutions, nor even an apology. "We have not received even the slightest goodwill," Septriani stated, noting that any semblance of a solution only emerged after they sought assistance from the Ministry of Religious Affairs on April 7.

“

At that point, the pilgrims were angry. That was the beginning for us, our problem as pilgrims, especially for Shawwal, started with Hannania on March 25. So many pilgrims came to their office, we demanded a meeting, we demanded a solution.

Following intervention from the ministry, Hanania Travel proposed two options: a refund in three installments (30% on May 29, 40% on July 31, and 30% by the end of August) or rescheduling the pilgrimage for June or July. Victims hope these options will be realized, but as of now, many are still seeking answers, with some reportedly visiting the Ministry of Religious Affairs again on Thursday.

“

We have not received even the slightest goodwill, and we only got it after we asked for help from the Ministry of Hajj on April 7.

Police have already named Ahmad Syah Farhan, the CEO of PT Khazanah Tamma Internasional, as a suspect in the case. He has been detained and is being investigated under articles related to fraud and embezzlement in the Indonesian Criminal Code. Preliminary findings suggest that funds collected from prospective pilgrims were used for purposes unrelated to organizing the umrah trips, including payments to influencers for promotional activities.

“

Please allow, until now we have not seen this action carried out because several pilgrims this morning also moved to the Ministry of Hajj.