Former Religious Affairs Director-General Denies Taking Bribes in Hajj Quota Corruption Case
JAKARTA - Hilman Latief, former Director-General of Hajj and Umrah Affairs at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, denied allegations of receiving funds related to the hajj quota corruption case.
‘I don’t know about any money transfers. Ask if there was any money to Mr. Hilman? None. The corruption money for hajj quotas, ask them, no one has ever asked. I’ve stopped responding to it. The media has been writing about it for eight months, and I’ve stayed silent,’ Hilman Latief said after performing Eid al-Adha prayers at the PP Muhammadiyah building in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (27/5/2026), according to Antara.
Hilman stated that his family has been devastated by the allegations.
Last Wednesday (20/5/2026), the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned Hilman Latief as a witness in the suspected hajj quota corruption case to confirm meetings between him and former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
‘Confirmed regarding meetings with ministers and other officials concerning additional hajj quotas,’ said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in Serang Regency, Banten, on Thursday (21/5).
The KPK also questioned Hilman Latief to investigate efforts by associations or hajj travel agencies to manage additional hajj quotas.
KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu stated there was collusion in the arrangement of special additional hajj quotas that did not comply with legal regulations, along with payments to public officials.
He said Ismail Adham gave $30,000 to Gus Alex and $5,000 plus 16,000 Saudi riyals to Hilman Latief, former Director-General of Hajj and Umrah Affairs at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, to facilitate the arrangement of special additional hajj quotas.
Meanwhile, Asrul Azis Taba also gave $406,000 to Gus Alex for the same purpose.
As a result, eight Special Hajj Service Providers (PIHK) or travel agencies affiliated with Asrul are suspected to have illegally gained Rp40.8 billion in 2024.
As stipulated in Article 603 or Article 604 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 20(c) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.