Anti-Corruption Commission Traces Assets of Yaqut and Gus Alex

The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has not yet been able to detail the total sum of money received by former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) and former Special Staff to the Religious Affairs Minister Isfan Abidal Aziz (IAA), known as Gus Alex, in the alleged bribery case concerning the administration and distribution of hajj quotas. However, investigators are confirmed to be conducting a thorough asset investigation into both individuals.

“Yes, we are currently and consistently investigating and conducting searches related to assets that are unrelated or sourced from alleged corruption offences,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo at the Red and White KPK Building in South Jakarta on Tuesday, 17 March.

Budi stated that investigators are cataloguing assets belonging to Yaqut and Gus Alex. Subsequently, both individuals will be asked to explain the origin of funds used for purchases. The investigation is also being conducted by examining other witnesses. Details of the receipts will be disclosed during the court proceedings.

“The total will certainly be detailed during the trial,” Budi said.

The KPK has designated former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) and former Special Staff Isfan Abidal Aziz (IAA), known as Gus Alex, as suspects in the alleged bribery case involving the administration and distribution of hajj quotas. The KPK has promised to bring the case to trial.

The issue in this corruption case stems from quota distribution that did not comply with applicable regulations. Indonesia was actually allocated 20,000 additional hajj quotas to accelerate the pilgrimage queue. Of this total, the government should have distributed it with a ratio of 92 per cent for regular hajj and eight per cent for special hajj. However, some parties instead distributed it equally at 50 per cent each.

The KPK has already examined numerous officials at the Religious Affairs Ministry. Additionally, representatives of umrah travel service providers have been summoned for questioning, including Islamic preacher Ustaz Khalid Basalamah.

Gus Alex’s initial role in this case was to coordinate the implementation of special hajj worship (PIHK) in Indonesia for the distribution of additional quotas. KPK investigators are seeking additional evidence to strengthen the case against Yaqut and Gus Alex during trial.

The detention of Yaqut is important for accelerating the legal process whilst clarifying the timeline of the case under investigation. In KPK’s practice of handling cases, the designation of suspects followed by detention is often carried out when the case is deemed ready.

Budi could not detail the progress in calculating state losses, as this data falls within the purview of the State Audit Board (BPK) auditors.