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Eight travel agencies suspected behind illegal haj pilgrims
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Several haj pilgrims from Jambi are waiting to get on the bus to Sultan Thaha Airport in Jambi for their haj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 24. The government started a probe into eight travel agencies suspected of being behind the haj scam of 177 Indonesians posing as Filipino haj pilgrims. (Antara/Wahdi Septiawan)
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t least eight travel agencies suspected to have been behind orchestrating 177 Indonesians haj pilgrims posing as Filipinos are currently under police investigation, an official from the Religious Affairs Ministry has said.
The eight travel agencies were based in Jakarta, Makassar and South Sulawesi, the ministry's inspector general Muhammad Yasin said on Tuesday. He refused to give details on the names of the companies or individuals involved, citing the ongoing investigation by the police.
The agencies were not included as official travel agencies among the 693 umrah (minor haj) travel operators (PPIU) and 269 haj operators (PIHK) listed on the ministry's website, Yasin continued.
"Prospective pilgrims must be selective in choosing a travel company conducting umrah or haj travels, and not to be easily persuaded by cheap prices or the quick departure times offered," he warned the public.
The ministry had sanctioned 14 umrah travel operators last year guilty of various offenses, he said. Among them include Al Aqsa Jistru Dakwah, Mulia Wisata Abadi, Pandi Kencana Murni and Sanabil Madinah Barokah.
Several companies have also had their operational permit revoked namely Mediterrania Travel, Mustaqbil Lima, Ronalditya, Kopindo Wisata, Catur Daya Utama, Huli Saqdah, Maccadina, Gema Arofah, Wisata Pesona Nugraha and Assuraniyah Cipta Prima.
The ministry would continue to work together with the police to track down illegal travel operators and enforce necessary legal actions, Yasin added.
The case gained public attention following the detention of 177 Indonesians by Philippine immigration authorities after being caught with illegally obtained Philippine passports on their way to conduct a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (rin)
