Saudi Arabia imposes a 20,000 riyal fine, about Rp 91 million, on illegal hajj pilgrims, plus deportation and a 10-year entry ban. Indonesia began sending its first hajj flight groups from 11 embarkation points on April 22. Immigration authorities prevented 13 Indonesians suspected of illegal hajj attempts using work visas.
Saudi Arabia, via Saudi Press Agency, announced a 20,000 riyal fine for pilgrims entering or staying in Makkah without proper hajj visas during the season. Violators face deportation and a 10-year entry ban. Access to Makkah is restricted to official permit holders from April 13, with umrah visas suspended from April 18 to May 31.
In Indonesia, Abdul Haris, Secretary of the Directorate General of Hajj Services, said embarkation services implemented One Stop Service for first flight groups on April 22. "The first services for pilgrims must be fully guaranteed," he stated while seeing off pilgrims in Surabaya. Eleven embarkation points began departures, including 374 pilgrims from Probolinggo at Surabaya Embarkation released by Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa. "May they all return as accepted hajj pilgrims," she said.
Immigration at Soekarno-Hatta Airport stopped 13 Indonesians on April 18-19 attempting illegal hajj via work visas to Jeddah. Head Galih P. Kartika Perdhana emphasized these preventive measures protect citizens from legal risks. The government ensured documents like visas and Nusuk cards are ready, with 100 hotels prepared in Madinah.
