INDONESIA FOILS ATTEMPT TO USE WORK VISAS FOR HAJJ PILGRIMAGE

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, April 18 (Bernama) -- Indonesian police have stopped 10 people from travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage using work visas, in what authorities say was an attempt to bypass the country’s official quota system.

Officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, intervened as the group from Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan, prepared to board a commercial flight to Malaysia with plans to continue their journey to Saudi Arabia.

"We're now coordinating with the Ministry of Religious Affairs for further investigation,” said the airport police Chief Commissioner Ronald Sipayung, as quoted by Metro TV.

He did not confirm whether criminal charges would be filed.

Investigators said the group attempted to pose as legitimate pilgrims by using matching luggage similar to that of official Hajj groups, but routine checks raised suspicions.

"Umrah flights have already been suspended to prepare for the Hajj season, which begins in May,” said its Criminal Investigation Commissioner Yandri Mono.

Of the 10 people, nine pilgrims and one travel agency representative, each reportedly paid between 100 million and 200 million rupiah, or roughly US$6,250 to US$12,500, to the agency.

-- BERNAMA