Ace Hasan Denies Involvement After Name Appears in Hajj Quota Corruption Trial
The name of the former Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the DPR RI, Ace Hasan Syadzily, was included in the list of special Hajj pilgrims for the 2023-2024 period. This was revealed during the trial regarding the alleged corruption of additional Hajj quotas for 2023-2024, when the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Prosecutor presented the examination records of Abdul Muhyi, the Head of Special Hajj Registration for 2014-2020.
The examination records contained a list of floating names of Hajj applicants along with the quotas they received. As the prosecutor read out the names and the special Hajj quotas obtained, the name of the Golkar politician, Ace Hasan, was mentioned.
“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 with Commission 8,” replied Abdul Muhyi. Ace Hasan Syadzily currently serves as the Governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) of the Republic of Indonesia.
During the trial, Abdul Muhyi stated that the list of TX pilgrims (prospective pilgrims with a specific waiting period) and T0 pilgrims (prospective pilgrims without a waiting period) originated from M. Agus Syafii, the Sub-director of Licensing, Accreditation, and Development of Special Hajj Implementation 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?” the prosecutor asked.
“The ‘floating’ data resulted from discussions with Mr. Agus [Syafii]; ‘floating’ actually refers to the plotting, Sir—plotting a certain amount, but the actual realisation was different,” said Abdul Muhyi.
Furthermore, during the trial, Abdul Muhyi confirmed that the list was a proposal for the absorption of additional special Hajj quotas.
“Yes, those were the proposals that came in. And the names used,” Abdul Muhyi told the prosecutor.
Abdul Muhyi was brought by the KPK prosecutor for four defendants, namely the former Minister of Religious Affairs for the 2019-2024 period, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas; Yaqut’s Special Staff, Ishfah Abidal Azis (alias Gus Alex); the Operational Director of Maktour, Ismail Adham; and the Chairman of the Kesthuri Association, who is also a Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama, Asrul Azis Taba.
In addition to Abdul Muhyi, three other witnesses were presented by the prosecutor: a former honorary staff member of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ridwan Kurniawan; Nila Adulitya Devi (private sector); and the Director of Domestic Hajj Services, Saiful Mujab.
The alleged corruption case regarding the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota is estimated to have caused state losses of Rp622,090,071,166.41 (approximately Rp622 billion), according to the Investigative Audit Report from the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK).
The case is also alleged to have enriched several other parties, including 313 Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK).
Ace Hasan Denies Allegations
Meanwhile, Ace Hasan denied ever requesting to be included in the list of special Hajj pilgrims for 2023-2024.
“I never requested a Hajj quota. When I was the Chairman of Commission VIII, many prospective pilgrims on the waiting list came to ask for help because they believed the Chairman of Commission VIII had a special channel to the Ministry of Religious Affairs,” Ace told reporters.
Ace reiterated that the authority for Hajj departures must strictly follow the regulations.
“All aspirations for acceleration that were submitted were purely forwarded by me to the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ system, which holds the data. The principle is clear: if it matches the waiting list number, they will definitely depart. Therefore, the claim regarding the use of names for personal quotas is entirely baseless,” he said.