Dito suggests discussions on additional Hajj quota with Saudi Arabia were impromptu

The discussion regarding an additional 20,000 Hajj quota between President Joko Widodo and the Saudi Arabian Government in October 202<0xA0>23 took place spontaneously, according to former Minister of Youth and Sports Ario Bimo Nandito Ariotedjo, also known as Dito Ariotedjo.

According to Dito, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was not part of the Indonesian delegation to Saudi Arabia at that time, so discussions related to the technical ministry were represented by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

“If there is no technical minister participating, it is represented by the Foreign Minister,” Dito stated while serving as a witness in the trial concerning alleged corruption regarding the Hajj quota at the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday.

When questioned by Yaqut’s legal counsel regarding the reason his client was not included in the Indonesian delegation at that time, Dito admitted he did not know for certain.

“I do not know for sure, but during state visits, there are usually bilateral meetings held beforehand regarding the ministries involved in the cooperation,” he said.

On that basis, Dito believes that the discussion regarding the additional Hajj quota was likely not planned beforehand.

“So, perhaps the additional quota was impromptu during the meeting,” he remarked.

During the trial, Dito also stated that President Jokowi did not provide any specific instructions regarding the distribution of the additional 20,000 Hajj quota.

Dito’s testimony relates to the additional Hajj quota granted by the Saudi Arabian Government to Indonesia for the 1445 Hijri/2024 AD Hajj pilgrimage.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) began investigating the alleged corruption case related to Indonesia’s Hajj quota for 2023–2024 on 9 August 2025.

In this case, former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, former Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs Ishfah Abidal Aziz (alias Gus Alex), Maktour Operational Director Ismail Adham, and former General Chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Tour Travel Association Asrul Aziz Taba have been named defendants. The four individuals began their trial on 11 August 2026 and are accused of causing state financial losses of up to Rp622.09 billion.