Appeal rejected, Yaqut ready to cooperate in trial proceedings
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Religious Affairs Minister for the 2020-2024 period, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, has stated that he is ready to follow the trial process for the alleged hajj quota corruption case in a good and cooperative manner after his objection was rejected in the interim ruling at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday.
He said he would present the various facts related to the charges with the clearest possible answers so that those who committed wrongdoing could receive clear sanctions.
“I still believe, I believe that I will get justice, even though justice often comes somewhat late. God willing, I am confident, I put my trust in Allah,” said Yaqut when met after the hearing.
However, he stressed that the interim ruling was not a verdict or final decision, but rather a legal step that had been taken and is guaranteed by law.
Therefore, he said, this was the beginning of the defence, all of which would later be seen in the trial process.
Accordingly, he hoped that the examination hearing of his case would later be assessed comprehensively, one of which was from the aspect of the basis of authority, particularly how the authority Yaqut possessed while serving as religious affairs minister.
“Then the policies taken, and then considering the services and safety of the pilgrims. We hope this will be assessed comprehensively,” he said.
As such, the panel of judges determined that the trial would proceed with the examination of case Number 42/Pid.Sus-TPK/PN.Jkt.Pst/2026, on Tuesday (1/9).
In the alleged corruption case involving Indonesia’s hajj quota in 2023-2024, Yaqut was charged with causing state financial losses amounting to Rp622.09 billion for having diverted and regulated the determination of the distribution of the additional special hajj quota for 2024 by 50 percent without a technical study basis.
In addition, he was also alleged to have filled the additional special hajj quota for 2023 and 2024 with Special Hajj Pilgrims Without Waiting Period (TO)/Special Hajj Pilgrims with Waiting Period of x Years (Tx) not in accordance with the established mechanism.
These actions were carried out by Yaqut together with his former special staff member, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, Operational Director of Maktour Ismail Adham, and former General Chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Travel Organisers Association Asrul Aziz Taba.
In detail, the state losses occurred due to the difference between PIHK revenue and expenditure for the 2024 hajj pilgrimage for special hajj pilgrims who should not have been entitled to depart, amounting to Rp438.22 billion.
Furthermore, there was PIHK revenue from the sale of the 2024 special hajj officers quota amounting to Rp39.95 billion, as well as acceleration fees for filling the additional special hajj quota for 2023 and 2024 for special hajj pilgrims who should not have been entitled to depart, amounting to Rp143.92 billion.
Thus, several parties were enriched in the case, including Yaqut, amounting to 271,500 US dollars or equivalent to Rp4.83 billion.
For his actions, the former religious affairs minister was charged with violating criminal provisions stipulated in Article 603 in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the National Criminal Code or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001.