Jakarta (ANTARA) - Religious Affairs Minister for the 2020-2024\nperiod, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, has stated that he is ready to follow the\ntrial process for the alleged hajj quota corruption case in a good and\ncooperative manner after his objection was rejected in the interim\nruling at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on\nThursday.<\/p>\n
He said he would present the various facts related to the charges\nwith the clearest possible answers so that those who committed\nwrongdoing could receive clear sanctions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still believe, I believe that I will get justice, even though\njustice often comes somewhat late. God willing, I am confident, I put my\ntrust in Allah,\u201d said Yaqut when met after the hearing.<\/p>\n
However, he stressed that the interim ruling was not a verdict or\nfinal decision, but rather a legal step that had been taken and is\nguaranteed by law.<\/p>\n
Therefore, he said, this was the beginning of the defence, all of\nwhich would later be seen in the trial process.<\/p>\n
Accordingly, he hoped that the examination hearing of his case would\nlater be assessed comprehensively, one of which was from the aspect of\nthe basis of authority, particularly how the authority Yaqut possessed\nwhile serving as religious affairs minister.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen the policies taken, and then considering the services and\nsafety of the pilgrims. We hope this will be assessed comprehensively,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n
As such, the panel of judges determined that the trial would proceed\nwith the examination of case Number 42\/Pid.Sus-TPK\/PN.Jkt.Pst\/2026, on\nTuesday (1\/9).<\/p>\n
In the alleged corruption case involving Indonesia\u2019s hajj quota in\n2023-2024, Yaqut was charged with causing state financial losses\namounting to Rp622.09 billion for having diverted and regulated the\ndetermination of the distribution of the additional special hajj quota\nfor 2024 by 50 percent without a technical study basis.<\/p>\n
In addition, he was also alleged to have filled the additional\nspecial hajj quota for 2023 and 2024 with Special Hajj Pilgrims Without\nWaiting Period (TO)\/Special Hajj Pilgrims with Waiting Period of x Years\n(Tx) not in accordance with the established mechanism.<\/p>\n
These actions were carried out by Yaqut together with his former\nspecial staff member, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, Operational\nDirector of Maktour Ismail Adham, and former General Chairman of the\nIndonesian Hajj and Umrah Travel Organisers Association Asrul Aziz\nTaba.<\/p>\n
In detail, the state losses occurred due to the difference between\nPIHK revenue and expenditure for the 2024 hajj pilgrimage for special\nhajj pilgrims who should not have been entitled to depart, amounting to\nRp438.22 billion.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, there was PIHK revenue from the sale of the 2024 special\nhajj officers quota amounting to Rp39.95 billion, as well as\nacceleration fees for filling the additional special hajj quota for 2023\nand 2024 for special hajj pilgrims who should not have been entitled to\ndepart, amounting to Rp143.92 billion.<\/p>\n
Thus, several parties were enriched in the case, including Yaqut,\namounting to 271,500 US dollars or equivalent to Rp4.83 billion.<\/p>\n
For his actions, the former religious affairs minister was charged\nwith violating criminal provisions stipulated in Article 603 in\nconjunction with Article 20 letter c of the National Criminal Code or\nArticle 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999\nconcerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by\nLaw Number 20 of 2001.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/appeal-rejected-yaqut-ready-to-cooperate-in-trial-proceedings-1788013228", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }