Fuad Responds to Allegations Subordinate Gave Hajj Quota Money to Yaqut

PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) CEO Fuad Hasan Masyhur stated there was no discussion with Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators regarding allegations that Maktour’s Director of Operations, Ismail Adham, gave money to former Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in connection with obtaining additional hajj quotas for 2023-2024. Fuad made the statement after being examined as a witness at the KPK office in South Jakarta on Thursday (18/6). “There was no such discussion,” Fuad told reporters. On that occasion, Fuad, who is also a Board Advisor for the Sathu Forum (Forum for Hajj and Umrah Travel Association Communication), denied Ismail Adham’s status as a suspect who has been detained by the KPK. “That’s what you say,” he remarked. Fuad also claimed to know nothing about the alleged flow of hajj quota money that also reportedly went to the House of Representatives’ Special Committee for the Hajj Inquiry in 2024. “I certainly do not understand it at all,” Fuad admitted. As of the writing of this report, there has been no statement from the KPK regarding the examination. The examination is intended to complete the case files of four suspects: former Religious Affairs Minister for the 2019-2024 period Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, his Special Staff member Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, Maktour Director of Operations Ismail Adham, and Kesthuri Association Chairman who is also Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama, Asrul Azis Taba, who was only detained on 8 June. The KPK has stated it will transfer the suspects’ case files to the Corruption Court simultaneously. During the ongoing investigation, the KPK has identified more than 300 travel agencies involved in the additional hajj quota. A number of travel agencies have been hesitant to provide information regarding the practice of buying and selling additional hajj quotas. The KPK is applying Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st of the Criminal Code, or as referred to in Article 603 or Article 604 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 20 letter (c) of the Criminal Code Law. This article relates to state financial losses. Based on calculations by the Supreme Audit Agency’s auditor team, the alleged corruption case involving additional hajj quotas for 2023-2024 is suspected of causing state financial losses amounting to Rp622 billion.