Following Yaqut, Gus Alex Officially Detained by KPK in Hajj Quota Corruption Case

Jakarta — Ishfah Abidal Aziz, known as Gus Alex, a former special aide to ex-Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, has been officially detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in connection with an alleged corruption case involving hajj quotas, on Tuesday, 18 March 2026.

Alex, who served as Yaqut’s right-hand man, was escorted to a KPK detention vehicle at approximately 14:44 Western Indonesian Time.

In statements to media representatives waiting at the Red and White Building of the KPK, Alex denied receiving any orders or channelling hajj quota funds to Yaqut. He declined to comment extensively on the case against him, stating that he had already provided a complete account to investigators.

Yaqut was detained by the KPK earlier, on Thursday, 12 March 2026. Prior to his detention, he denied receiving any money whatsoever from the hajj scheme. “I have never received a single rupiah from the case I am accused of, and I implemented all of these policies solely for the safety of hajj pilgrims,” Yaqut stated at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026.