Collusion Between Travel Agents and Ministry of Religious Affairs Officials in Hajj Quota Corruption Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has announced two new suspects in the alleged corruption case concerning the 2023-2024 Hajj quota during the era of Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo.
They are Ismail Adham, Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), and Asrul Azis Taba, Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and Chairman of the Kesthuri Association.
The designation of these suspects follows the earlier detention of former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and his special staff Ishfah Abidal Aziz, also known as Gus Alex.
“We will provide updates on the investigation into the alleged criminal act of corruption related to the Hajj quota for the organisation of Indonesian Hajj worship in 2023-2024. In this case, the KPK has again designated two individuals as suspects, namely ISM and ASR,” stated Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, during a press conference at its office in Jakarta on Monday (30/3).
Ismail and Asrul are charged with violating Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law (UU Tipikor) in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code or 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 the Criminal Code Law.
Asep stated that Ismail and Asrul played an active role in arranging the filling of additional special Hajj quotas that did not comply with legal regulations, as well as providing sums of money to state officials.
The two suspects, together with Fuad Hasan Masyhur as the Board of Trustees of the SATHU Forum (Forum for Silaturahmi of Hajj and Umrah Travel Associations) and other parties, held meetings with Yaqut and Ishfah.
The meetings aimed to request an increase in the special Hajj quota exceeding the 8 percent limit as stipulated in the regulations.
Consequently, the regular and special Hajj quotas were divided on a 50 percent-50 percent scheme.
Furthermore, Ismail and Asrul, together with parties from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, arranged the filling of additional special Hajj quotas for companies affiliated with Maktour, thereby obtaining additional special Hajj quotas, including quotas under the accelerated departure scheme (T0).
“Suspect ISM [Ismail Adham] is alleged to have given a sum of money to IAA [Ishfah] amounting to US$30,000, as well as to HL [Hilman Latief, Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organisation at the Ministry of Religious Affairs] amounting to US$5,000 and 16,000 SAR,” said Asep.
For these actions, Maktour obtained unlawful gains (illegal gain) in 2024 amounting to approximately Rp27.8 billion.
“Meanwhile, suspect ASR [Asrul Azis Taba] is alleged to have given a sum of money to HL amounting to US$406,000,” Asep continued.
For this giving, Asep said, eight Special Hajj Operators (PIHK) affiliated with Asrul also obtained unlawful gains in 2024 totaling Rp40.8 billion.
“The receipt of sums of money by IAA and HL from the suspects is alleged to represent YCQ [Yaqut Cholil Qoumas], the Minister of Religious Affairs at the time,” Asep stated.