Jakarta, May 8 -- Indonesian authorities have intercepted 80 citizens at several international airports for attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage illegally, highlighting a massive crackdown on non-procedural departures this season.

The interceptions were coordinated by the Task Force for the Prevention of Illegal Hajj, a strategic coalition comprising the Ministry of Hajj, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, and the National Police.

Secretary of the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Rizka Anungnata confirmed on Friday that enforcement actions were concentrated at major transit hubs.

"Until today, 80 enforcement actions have been carried out by immigration colleagues across several locations," ...