Gus Alex Confirmed to Spend Eid Holiday in Detention

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained Isfan Abidal Aziz (Gus Alex), former special staff to the Religion Minister, for alleged corruption. The detention period is set for 20 days, commencing 17 March and ending 5 April 2026.

“The detention for the next 20 days begins today, 17 March, through 5 April 2026,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo at the Red and White Building of the KPK in South Jakarta on Tuesday (17/3).

Budi stated that the detention is necessary for investigation into alleged bribery cases in the management and distribution of Hajj quotas at the Religion Ministry (Kemenag). The detention can be extended if investigators deem it necessary.

“The detention will be held at the KPK Detention Centre Building C1 or the Anti-Corruption Education Centre Building,” said Budi.

The KPK has designated former Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) and Gus Alex as suspects in the alleged Hajj quota bribery case. The KPK has pledged to bring the case to trial.

The issue in this corruption case stems from the distribution of quotas that did not comply with existing regulations. Indonesia was allocated an additional 20,000 Hajj quotas to expedite the Hajj queue. The government should have distributed these with a 92 per cent allocation for regular Hajj and 8 per cent for special Hajj. However, certain parties instead divided them equally at 50 per cent each.

The KPK has examined numerous officials at Kemenag. Additionally, representatives of Umrah travel service providers have been questioned, including religious scholar Khalid Basalamah.

Gus Alex’s role in this case was to coordinate the implementation of special Hajj worship (PIHK) in Indonesia for the distribution of additional quotas.

Further investigation has been conducted by examining other witnesses. Details of money received will be disclosed during trial.

KPK investigators are seeking additional evidence to strengthen the case against Yaqut and Gus Alex for trial proceedings.

The investigation revealed that the 20,000 additional 2024 Hajj quotas were intended for regular pilgrims who had been waiting 47 years, not to be diverted. The case against former Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is ongoing, with the KPK’s Investigation Director Asep Guntur Rahayu stating that the former minister will be summoned shortly regarding the alleged corruption in the 2024 additional Hajj quota diversion case.