Bribing Ministry of Religious Affairs Officials, Maktour Allegedly Reaps Rp 27.8 Billion Profit in Hajj Quota Case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has disclosed that PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) allegedly obtained a profit of Rp 27.8 billion in the 2024 Hajj quota case. KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu stated that the figure represents the calculated state financial loss determined by auditors. “PT Makassar Toraja or Maktour obtained illicit profits in 2024 amounting to approximately Rp 27.8 billion,” Asep said during a press conference on Monday night (30/3/2026). Former special staff to Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, and the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organising at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), Hilman Latief, are suspected of receiving USD 35,000 and SAR 16,000 from Ismail Adham. The money was given to Gus Alex and Hilman Latief to facilitate Maktour’s allocation of additional special Hajj quotas. “This enabled them to obtain additional special Hajj quotas, including those under the expedited departure scheme,” Asep explained. The two suspects are Ismail Adham and Asrul Azis Taba, Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and Chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Travel Association (Kesthuri). Asep revealed that there was a meeting between Ismail, Yaqut, and Gus Alex to request an increase in special Hajj quotas exceeding the 8 percent limit as regulated by law. “In the process, the regular and special Hajj quotas were divided on a 50-50 percent scheme,” Asep stated. Following this agreement, Ismail and Asrul Azis, along with parties from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, arranged the filling of additional special Hajj quotas for companies affiliated with PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour). This is as intended in Article 603 or Article 604 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 20 letter (c) of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.