Corruption Eradication Commission confident in hajj pilgrimage agencies' cooperation despite travel ban absence
Jakarta — Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) expressed confidence that special hajj pilgrimage organisers (PIHK) and hajj agencies will cooperate in its investigation, despite not imposing travel bans on all parties involved.
“We are confident that PBHKs and their associations will cooperate during the investigation process,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Prasetyo stated that the KPK’s confidence was based on its experience summoning and examining various associations and hajj agencies during preliminary investigations. Nevertheless, he said the KPK would continue reminding these parties to cooperate, particularly given that two suspects in the alleged hajj quota corruption case had already been detained.
“We urge all parties to cooperate, appear when summoned, comply with calls, and provide complete and honest statements, as this will greatly assist in investigating the hajj quota case,” he said.
The KPK began investigating the alleged corruption case related to Indonesia’s hajj quotas for 2023-2024 on 9 August 2025. On 11 August 2025, the KPK announced preliminary calculations showing state losses exceeded Rp1 trillion and imposed travel restrictions on three individuals for six months. The restricted individuals included former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Ishfah Abidal Aziz (known as Gus Alex), Yaqut’s special assistant, and Fuad Hasan Masyhur, owner of the Maktour hajj pilgrimage agency.
On 9 January 2026, the KPK declared two of the three restricted individuals—Yaqut and Gus Alex—as suspects in the alleged hajj quota corruption case.
Yaqut subsequently filed a judicial review petition with the South Jakarta District Court on 10 February 2026, registered as case number 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL. On 19 February 2026, the KPK extended the travel ban for only Yaqut and Gus Alex, allowing Fuad’s restriction to lapse.
On 27 February 2026, the KPK announced it had received a financial audit from Indonesia’s State Audit Board (BPK) regarding state losses from the hajj quota case. On 4 March 2026, the KPK announced the confirmed state financial loss at Rp622 billion.
On 11 March 2026, the South Jakarta District Court rejected Yaqut’s judicial review petition. The KPK detained Yaqut at the State Detention Centre Branch of the Red and White Building on 12 March 2026. Gus Alex was detained at the Detention Centre Branch of the Anti-Corruption Education Centre on 17 March 2026. As he walked towards the detention vehicle, Gus Alex stated there were no orders or financial transfers related to the hajj quota case to Yaqut.