Ace Hasan Denies Allegations from Witness in Hajj Quota Corruption Case
The former Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the DPR RI, Ace Hasan Syadzily, has refuted allegations made by Abdul Muhyi, the Head of Special Hajj Registration for 2014-2020, acting as a witness in the alleged Hajj quota corruption case. The witness claimed that Ace Hasan’s name appeared in the list of ‘floating’ special Hajj quotas for the 2023-2024 period.
He emphasised that the use of his name to secure personal special Hajj quotas is baseless. Ace also admitted that he never requested special Hajj quotas in relation to this matter.
“I have never requested a Hajj quota. During my time as the leadership of Commission VIII, many prospective pilgrims on the waiting list came to ask for help because they believed the leadership of Commission VIII had a special channel to the Ministry of Religious Affairs,” Ace Hasan said when contacted on Tuesday (8/9).
In addition to denying the presence of his name on the list, Ace reiterated that the authority regarding Hajj departures strictly follows established regulations.
“But I have always emphasised that the authority for departure must strictly follow the rules. All aspirations for acceleration that were submitted were purely forwarded by me to the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ system, which holds the data,” Ace Hasan asserted.
He further explained that Hajj departures are conducted based on the queue number of the prospective pilgrims’ waiting list. According to him, pilgrims who have met their departure queue number are guaranteed to depart, meaning there is no basis for using names to obtain personal quotas.
“The principle is clear: if it matches the waiting list queue number, they will definitely depart. Therefore, the issue of using names for personal quotas is entirely baseless,” he said.
Ace’s name was listed in the additional special Hajj quota ‘floating’ list for 2023-2024, which was revealed in the Examination Report (BAP) of Abdul Muhyi during the trial of the alleged corruption case involving additional Hajj quotas for 2023-2024.
The BAP contained a list of names of Hajj registrants along with the quotas they received. When the prosecutor mentioned the names and the special Hajj quotas obtained, the name of the Golkar politician, Ace Hasan, was present.
“And then, Ace Hasan?” asked the Prosecutor at the Corruption Court (Tipikor) of the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday (8/9).
“That is Mr. Ace, Sir. Ace Hasan Syadzily. He was previously in Commission 8,” replied Abdul Muhyi.
During the trial, Abdul Muhyi claimed that the list of TX pilgrims (prospective pilgrims with a specific waiting period) and T0 pilgrims (prospective pilgrims without a waiting period) originated from the Sub-director of Licensing, Accreditation, and Special Hajj Implementation Development at the Directorate of Umrah and Special Hajj, M. Agus Syafii, for the 2023-2024 period.
“Did you ever receive a summary of the names of TX or T0 pilgrims and whose quota they belonged to? There are keywords ‘floating’ and ‘real’, Sir. Yes. And where did that data come from, Sir?” asked the prosecutor.
“So, ‘floating’ is data resulting from discussions with Mr. Agus [Syafii]; ‘floating’ actually means plotting, Sir—plotting a certain amount, but the realisation is how much,” said Abdul Muhyi.
In addition to Abdul Muhyi, three other witnesses were presented by the prosecutor: former Ministry of Religious Affairs temporary staff, Ridwan Kurniawan; Nila Adulitya Devi (private sector); and the Director of Domestic Hajj Services, Saiful Mujab.
The alleged corruption case regarding the additional Hajj quota for 2023-2024 is estimated to have caused state losses of Rp622,090,076,166.41 (approximately Rp622 billion), according to the Investigative Audit Report from the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK).
The case is also alleged to have enriched several other parties, including 313 Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK).