Gus Alex Meets KPK Investigation Summons; Detention Likely?

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that Ishfah Abidal Aziz, known as Gus Alex, special staff to former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, attended the commission’s premises on Tuesday morning (17 March) for questioning as a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving hajj quota manipulation for 2023-2024.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo stated that Gus Alex arrived at the KPK building at approximately 08:20 local time. When asked whether the suspect would be detained following his questioning, Prasetyo indicated that such a decision would depend on the investigating officer, saying: “We shall wait for the examination to be completed.”

Both Ishfah and Yaqut were previously declared suspects in the case. On 12 March, the KPK proceeded to detain Yaqut prior to formally questioning Ishfah. Both men face charges under Articles 2(1) and 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law, in conjunction with Article 55(1) of the Indonesian Criminal Code.

The investigation has resulted in the seizure of over Rp100 billion in cash, four vehicles, and five parcels of land and buildings. The alleged scheme is believed to have caused state losses totalling Rp622 billion. The KPK has indicated it may implicate private sector actors in the case.

According to the KPK’s account, the scheme centred on additional hajj quotas provided by Saudi Arabia. In 2023, an additional 8,000 quota places were allocated, with 92 per cent distributed to regular pilgrims (7,360) and 8 per cent to special hajj pilgrims (640). An acceleration fee of US$5,000 (approximately Rp84.4 million) per pilgrim was allegedly imposed for special hajj placements offering immediate departure or expedited processing contrary to standard queue procedures.

For 2024, Saudi Arabia provided a further 20,000 quota places to address a backlog of 47 years. Initial Ministry of Religion discussions with parliament proposed dividing these as 92 per cent regular and 8 per cent special hajj. However, Gus Alex subsequently issued directives to divide the quotas equally at 50 per cent each, ostensibly to obscure compliance violations with Law Number 8 of 2019 governing hajj operations, which specifies that special hajj quotas should not exceed 8 per cent of total allocations.

The Ministry subsequently engaged with pilgrim service operators (PIHK) associated in the Special Hajj and Umrah Travel Association (SATHU) forum. For the 2024 additional quota, acceleration fees of US$2,000 (approximately Rp33.8 million) per pilgrim were established. Later, demands escalated to US$2,500 (approximately Rp42.2 million) per pilgrim.

Gus Alex allegedly instructed ministry officials to collect these fees from service operators and direct collection coordinators, with payments received between February and June 2024. Similar practices occurred in 2023, when fees ranged from US$4,000 to US$5,000 per pilgrim.

One private sector figure implicated is Fuad Hasan Masyhur, chief executive of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), a hajj travel operator, and chairman of the SATHU forum council. He allegedly lobbied the Ministry of Religion to secure additional hajj quota allocations.

When news of parliament’s intention to establish a special committee to investigate hajj operations emerged in July 2024, Gus Alex allegedly directed subordinates to return collected fees to service operators and associations. However, portions of the fees were reportedly retained and utilised for Yaqut’s personal benefit.