BPKH Explains Surplus from Special Hajj Funds Returned to Pilgrims

The head of the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH), Fadlul Imansyah, has stated that any surplus in the management of special hajj funds is returned to pilgrims and does not enter the coffers of the agency or the state. The statement was made by Fadlul while testifying as a witness at the Jakarta Corruption Court in the trial of an alleged corruption case concerning the determination of hajj quotas for 2023–2024 on Thursday (27/8). He was giving testimony to Ishfah Abidal Azis, also known as Gus Alex, a former special staff member of Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.

Initially, Wa Ode Nur Zainab, the lawyer for Gus Alex, asked Fadlul to explain the management of special hajj funds, including whether there was any surplus from the funds deposited by pilgrims. ‘Regarding special hajj, you mentioned earlier that there is nothing left over, that any surplus is returned to the pilgrims. Is that right, through the travel agent? That is for special hajj,’ the lawyer asked during the hearing on Thursday (27/8). ‘It is returned to the pilgrims,’ Fadlul replied.

The lawyer then compared this mechanism with regular hajj funds. She gave an illustration of a pilgrim who had paid Rp60 million, while the cost of organising the pilgrimage was only Rp55 million, leaving a surplus of Rp5 million. ‘So where is the remainder returned to?’ ‘To the Hajj Fund, ma’am,’ Fadlul answered. The lawyer then sought confirmation that the funds became hajj funds and were not returned to the state treasury. ‘To the Hajj Fund? That becomes hajj funds? Is that right? It is not returned to the state, the state treasury?’ asked Wa Ode. ‘No,’ Fadlul replied.

During the same examination, the lawyer for Gus Alex also explored the position of pilgrims’ funds in relation to state finances. Fadlul said that the source of hajj finances comes from pilgrims’ deposits. ‘My question is, of all the hajj finances, how much belongs to the government? Is there any right of the government?’ asked Wa Ode. ‘If the source is from the pilgrims, ma’am,’ Fadlul answered. Fadlul also said that there was no Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) from these funds. This statement was made when he was asked about whether the government had any rights. ‘For example, is there any tax imposed on every hajj pilgrim?’ ‘I do not know the details about tax, ma’am,’ said Fadlul. ‘You are the head of BPKH. Or is there any PNBP?’ ‘There is no PNBP as far as I know,’ said Fadlul.