Gus Alex arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission, following former Religious Affairs Minister
Jakarta — Ishfah Abidal Aziz, known as Gus Alex, a former special staff member to the Religious Affairs Minister, has been arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) following the detention of former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
Gus Alex was arrested after being formally designated as a suspect in the hajj quota corruption case alongside Yaqut. “I respect the legal process that is underway,” said Gus Alex at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He stated that he had provided extensive statements to KPK investigators and hoped to receive justice. “Hopefully we can find justice and the real truth,” he said.
The KPK began investigating the alleged corruption case related to Indonesia’s hajj quota for 2023-2024 on 9 August 2025. On 11 August 2025, the KPK announced preliminary calculations showing state losses of over Rp1 trillion and imposed travel bans on three individuals for up to six months. The three individuals subject to travel restrictions were Yaqut, Gus Alex, and Fuad Hasan Masyhur, the owner of hajj tour operator Maktour.
On 9 January 2026, the KPK announced that two of the three individuals subject to travel bans had been designated as suspects in the alleged hajj quota corruption case: Yaqut and Gus Alex.
However, Yaqut filed a pretrial motion challenging his designation as a suspect at the South Jakarta District Court on 10 February 2026, registered under case number 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL. On 19 February 2026, the KPK announced an extension of the travel ban for Yaqut and Gus Alex only, with Fuad’s ban not being extended.
On 27 February 2026, the KPK announced receipt of an audit from the State Audit Board (BPK) concerning state financial losses resulting from the hajj quota case. Subsequently, on 4 March 2026, the KPK announced that state financial losses from the case had reached Rp622 billion.
On 11 March 2026, the South Jakarta District Court judges rejected Yaqut’s pretrial motion. On 12 March 2026, the KPK detained Yaqut at the State Detention Centre, KPK Red and White Building branch.