Indonesia backs Saudi crackdown on illicit Hajj brokers

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s government has voiced support for Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on illicit intermediaries and unauthorized brokers in the procurement of Hajj pilgrimage services, officials said Friday.

Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said the Saudi directives align with Jakarta’s commitment to eradicating predatory middlemen and ensuring that service contracts remain transparent and accountable.

"We welcome the circular issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah regarding its firm stance on monitoring and strictly prohibiting brokerages and scalping practices in the Hajj procurement process," Simanjuntak said in a statement.

The official circular from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah strictly prohibits coercive middleman arrangements, in-kind gifts, and commissions disguised as marketing fees.

Saudi authorities warned that such schemes inflate pilgrimage costs without improving service quality, cautioning that offenders will face legal prosecution under kingdom laws.

Simanjuntak noted that joint enforcement supports Indonesia’s domestic anti-corruption campaign aimed at dismantling illicit Hajj trade networks.

He added that a dedicated task force will negotiate directly with accredited Saudi service providers and urged the public to report any fraudulent practices or unauthorized brokers.

Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Uyu Liman
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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