DELI SERDANG, INDONESIA | INDATANEWS.COM - Immigration officers at Kualanamu International Airport have prevented 13 suspected non-procedural Hajj travelers from departing for Saudi Arabia. The group was intercepted during immigration checks at the airport in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra.
The passengers, consisting of eight men and five women, were initially scheduled to fly to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines flight MH0861.
North Sumatra Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration head Parlindungan said the integrated system detected the passengers as a "Subject of Interest" with a 100 percent risk score during passport screening. The individuals were immediately referred for secondary inspection.
Read Also: Deli Serdang Youth Lead Interfaith Anti-Drug Drive At first, the travelers claimed they were only heading to Malaysia for tourism purposes. However, inconsistencies in their statements prompted deeper questioning by immigration officers.
Unauthorized Hajj Plan Revealed
Further investigation revealed that the group's actual intention was to travel onward to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage without official procedures or legal pilgrimage visas.
"They initially stated they were going on holiday in Malaysia. After further examination, they admitted their true destination was Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj outside the official mechanism," Parlindungan explained.
Read Also: Satpol PP Deli Serdang Faces Allegations Over Damage to Media Banner Without Procedure COORDINATOR ROLE UNCOVERED: Medan Immigration Office Head Uray Avian explains the role of the alleged travel group organizer. (PHOTO: Doc. Kualanamu Airport Immigration)
Suspected Coordinator and Previous AttemptsHead of the Medan Immigration Office, Uray Avian, identified one passenger, Santo Aseano, as the alleged coordinator of the group. Authorities also found that the group had previously attempted to leave Indonesia via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Batam, but were stopped on both occasions.
Read Also: Tanjung Morawa Police Arrest Man, Seize 40 Cannabis Plants The immigration authority emphasized that its real-time integrated monitoring system plays a key role in preventing such illegal travel attempts by marking flagged individuals for nationwide border surveillance.
Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko stated that these measures are part of strengthened security operations during the Hajj season.
Public Warning Against Illegal Hajj RoutesAuthorities urged the public not to use illegal Hajj travel services that bypass official visa procedures, warning of serious legal and safety risks.
Read Also: Deli Serdang Regent Inaugurates New RSUD Pancur Batu Inpatient Building "These preventive actions are aimed at protecting citizens. Pilgrimages must be conducted safely, legally, and through official channels," Hendarsam said.
North Sumatra Immigration Regional Office is currently coordinating with the North Sumatra Police to investigate suspected organizers behind the operation. (IDNC)
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