TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chairperson of the House Hajj Supervisory Team, Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, urged immigration to tighten surveillance, especially for those heading to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season.
Cucun stated that tightening immigration is essential to prevent the departure of Indonesian nationals to the holy land through illegal routes or using non-Hajj visas.
"The government must continue to convey that the regulations in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj month are very strict," said Cucun in a statement obtained by Tempo on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
Through repeated information dissemination, he hopes to prevent Indonesian nationals without hajj visas from heading to Mecca. This way, anticipation of unwanted incidents can be minimized as early as possible.
Furthermore, on May 27, 2025, the security authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia found three Indonesian nationals attempting to enter Mecca through the desert. Of the three, one Indonesian national with the initials SM was found dead due to dehydration.
The Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Jeddah, Yusron Ambary, said that the three Indonesian nationals from East Java were found by Saudi security forces' drones in the desert area en route to Mecca.
He recounted that they attempted to enter Mecca by hiring an unlicensed taxi. However, the taxi driver made them get out because he was afraid of being caught by the patrol with illegal Hajj pilgrims.
"Their visas were multiple pilgrimage visas, not hajj visas," said Yusron.
Yusron continued, after receiving medical treatment, the two survivors were returned to Jeddah. Ten Indonesian nationals had previously attempted to enter Mecca.
"They have all been sent back to Jeddah. We request that no one attempt to depart illegally," he said.
Regarding the discovery of the deceased Indonesian national, Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal said that the House of Representatives and the government will make efforts to repatriate the deceased Indonesian national, including all Indonesian nationals who tried to enter Mecca illegally.
He requested that no Indonesian nationals enter Mecca illegally anymore.
"No one is allowed to depart in these ways anymore. I remind you, Saudi Arabia does not accept non-hajj visas during the hajj month; the rules are strict," said the politician from the Justice and Prosperity Party.
Cucun stated that performing the Hajj is indeed one of the obligations for Muslims. However, this should not be done in a non-procedural manner that endangers safety.
"Allah's command to perform Hajj must also be responded to wisely, not by forcing it in such ways," he said.
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