Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Denies Threats of Removal from 'Carriage' for Disobedience
Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has refuted testimony from the former Head of Bureau at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah University, Mohammad Ali Irfan, which claimed that special staff members were his representatives and those who did not comply would be removed from his ‘carriage’. Yaqut also claimed he was unaware of the USD 1 million intended for the DPR Hajj Special Committee in 2024.
The trial was held at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday (29/09/2026). Initially, Yaqut responded to testimony from witness Zainal Abidin regarding USD 1 million for the DPR Hajj Special Committee, which was allegedly entrusted to his former special staff member, Ishfah Abidal Azis, also known as Gus Alex.
“Regarding Mr Zainal Abidin, what is your response?” asked the presiding judge, Ni Kadek Susantiani.
“I would like to clarify, Your Honour. Firstly, at the time the handover of the 1 million US dollars took place, I was in Europe and had no knowledge of the matter. I only learned about this from Mr Zainal Abidin after my term as minister had ended,” said Yaqut.
“After my term ended, I said—as the witness previously stated, though perhaps not in full—‘Your business is with Alex, and I do not want to know or be involved in such things.’ That is what I said. The witness may recall this,” Yaqut continued.
The judge then asked Zainal to respond to Yaqut’s statement. Zainal confirmed the details provided by Yaqut.
“Do you stand by your testimony?” asked the judge.
“I do, that specific sentence was indeed there, Chair,” replied Zainal.
The judge then questioned Yaqut regarding the testimony of Ali Irfan. Yaqult denied ever stating that special staff were his representatives and that those who opposed him would be removed from his ‘carriage’.
“Regarding the testimony of witness Muhammad Ali Irfan?” asked the judge.
“Regarding witness Ali Irfan, I deny the claim made in BAP number 11 that special staff are my representatives and that those who oppose me will be removed from the carriage. I have never said such a thing. Furthermore, the agenda at Dev-X was not related to any efforts to secure a second term as minister, Your Honour, because the minister is the President’s prerogative,” stated Yaqut.
Yaqut explained that his use of the ‘carriage’ metaphor was based on railway philosophy. He stated that the philosophy concerned adherence to the President’s regulations as implemented through the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
“Regarding my mention of the carriage, I explained to witness Ali Irfan and everyone here that I lead the Ministry of Religious Affairs using a railway philosophy. Arriving on time, stopping only at the destination, and staying on the tracks. Anyone who obstructs will be hit. That is the meaning; everyone must obey the rules and the President’s vision and mission as translated through the Ministry of Religious Affairs. That is what I conveyed,” said Yaqut.
He further denied allegations regarding Faisal Ali Hasyim, stating that the appointment of the Inspector General was made by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, not himself.
In this case, former Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is accused of causing state financial losses amounting to IDR 622,090,076,166.41 (approximately 622 billion) in a corruption case involving additional Hajj quotas for 2023-2024. Prosecutors allege that these actions were carried out by Yaqut alongside the Chairman of the Kesthuri Association, Asrul Azis Taba, his former special staff member Ishfah Abidal Azis (Gus Alex), and the Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), Ismail Adham.