Indonesia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah investigates travel fraud and quota trading

The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) is investigating multiple irregularities regarding pilgrimage services in East Java. Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf conducted a surprise inspection of the Anissa Ahmada Travel Indo office in Jombang, finding the premises locked and inactive. The investigation follows reports of hundreds of pilgrims being stranded, including 200 members of the KBIHU Muslimat Jombang group who were forced to purchase their own return tickets.

Approximately 4,000 prospective pilgrims are registered under this travel agency, with an estimated total fund of Rp120 billion at stake. In response, the Ministry has frozen the agency's access to the Integrated Umrah and Special Hajj Management Computerized System (Siskopatuh) while legal proceedings continue. The Ministry is also exploring systemic ways to guarantee the return of funds to pilgrims in the event of travel failures.

Separately, the Ministry's Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Management Control is investigating allegations of illegal trading of regular Hajj portion numbers in East Java. Director General Harun Al Rasyid emphasized that Hajj portion numbers are not commodities for sale and that the Ministry is working to ensure the transfer process remains transparent and adheres to legal regulations to protect pilgrim rights.