Following Detention of Yaqut and Gus Alex, KPK to Re-examine Hajj Travel Agency Parties
JAKARTA — The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has confirmed that investigations into the hajj quota case will not cease following the detention of former Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and his former special aide Ishfah Abidal Aziz (IAA), also known as Gus Alex. The KPK has indicated plans to expand the investigation to include private sector parties involved in the hajj quota case.
Regarding the 2023/1444 Hijri Hajj pilgrimage arrangements, the KPK explained in May 2023 that the Saudi Arabian government had granted Indonesia an additional hajj quota of 8,000 pilgrims. Subsequently, Fuad Hasan Masyhur (FHM), who serves as advisory board chair of the Forum Silaturahmi Asosiasi Travel Haji Dan Umrah (Sathu) and owner of Maktour, sent a letter to Yaqut aimed at “maximising absorption of the additional quota”. This matter will form the basis of the KPK’s investigation into Fuad.
“Certainly, investigators will call back representatives from the private sector, including those from Maktour or the Sathu Association. As we explained previously in the case structure, the roles played by Fuad Hasan Masyhur in the process of distributing the additional hajj quotas in both 2023 and 2024 are under examination,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo on Tuesday (17 March 2026).
The KPK will examine Fuad Hasan’s role in this case more closely. Fuad’s testimony is expected to expose the impact of the additional hajj quota manipulation on hajj organising companies.
“We want to examine his roles more thoroughly. We also want to understand the impact of the distribution of the additional hajj quota on the associations and various parties,” said Budi.
The KPK will pursue all parties who have benefited from this case, which could include hajj travel entrepreneurs.
“The KPK will trace which parties have benefited from the discretionary allocation of hajj quotas by the Ministry of Religious Affairs,” said Budi.
In this case, the KPK has already designated Yaqut as a suspect along with former Special Aide to the Religious Affairs Minister Isfan Abidal Aziz (IAA), also known as Gus Alex. Yaqut is accused of violating Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of Law No 31 of 1999 read together with Article 18 of Law No 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Offences as amended by Law No 20 of 2001 Amending Law No 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Offences read together with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.
The KPK subsequently detained suspect Yaqut for an initial 20-day period from 12 to 31 March 2026. Detention is at the State Detention Facility (Rutan) branch at the Red and White Building of the KPK. Gus Alex was detained by the KPK on 17 March.