Gus Alex Reveals 24 DPR Working Group Members Requested 3,000 Riyals Each During Saudi Trip
The defendant in the alleged corruption case involving the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota, Ishfah Abidal Azis, also known as Gus Alex, has revealed a request for 3,000 riyals from 24 members of the DPR Commission VIII Working Group. Gus Alex stated that this request was made while in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
This admission was made by Gus Alex while questioning the former Director of Umrah and Hajj Development at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Jaja Jaelani, at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday (4/9/2026) in the early hours. Jaja was presented as a witness by the KPK prosecutors during the trial.
Initially, Gus Alex questioned Jaja regarding his knowledge of a meeting between the defendant and three leaders of the DPR Commission VIII. The meeting took place at the Al Romansiah Aziziyah Restaurant in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
“Do you remember that I told you I met the three leaders of Commission VIII because of a request from a Commission VIII staff member named Yusuf? I met them at Al Romansiah Aziziyah Restaurant. Do you remember?” asked Gus Alex.
“Yes, I do,” replied Jaja.
Jaja admitted to remembering the meeting. Gus Alex stated that the meeting was arranged by a staff member of the DPR Commission VIII named Yusuf.
Gus Alex claimed that the leaders of Commission VIII and the Working Group at that time had asked him to collect money from catering providers. He also claimed he was asked to prepare a certain amount of money for purchasing souvenirs.
“Do you remember that during that meeting, I told you that the leaders of Commission VIII and the Working Group asked me to collect money from the catering provider?” asked Gus Alex.
“I did not hear about that, Sir,” replied Jaja.
“Okay. Do you remember that during that meeting, I was asked to prepare a certain amount of money for shopping for souvenirs?” asked Gus Alex.
“Yes, that is correct,” replied Jaja.
“Do you remember me telling you about that?”
“Yes, that is correct,” replied Jaja.
Gus Alex stated that the 24 members of the DPR Commission VIII Working Group who travelled on official business to Saudi Arabia also requested 3,000 riyals per person. When converted at the current exchange rate (Rp 4,692), this amounts to approximately Rp 14,074,830.
“Witness, do you remember that the 24 members of the Commission VIII Working Group travelling on an overseas official trip to Saudi Arabia had their trip funded by the State Budget (APBN)? It was from the DPR’s operational budget. Are you aware of this?” asked Gus Alex.
“Yes,” replied Jaja.
“Are you aware?”
“I am aware,” replied Jaja.
Gus Alex admitted that he could only provide 1,500 riyals, or approximately Rp 7,037,415, to each of the 24 members of the DPR Commission VIII Working Group. He stated that this money came from his personal professional fees.
“Do you remember me saying that those 24 individuals each initially requested 3,000 riyals per person, but I was only able to prepare 1,500 riyals per person from my fees? Did I ever tell you that?”
“Yes, that is correct, you did tell me,” replied Jaja.
Gus Alex identified the three leaders of Commission VIII he met as Marwan Dasopang, Abdul Wachid, and Ashabul Kahfi. He claimed he had recounted the meeting and the requests from the 24 members to Jaja.
“Regarding the next witness, is it true that the three people I met were Marwan Dasopang, Abdul Wachid, and Ashabul Kahfi? Is that correct?” asked Gus Alex.
“That is correct,” replied Jaja.
Previously, Gus Alex was indicted for causing state losses of Rp 622,090,207,166.41 (622 billion) in the alleged corruption case involving the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota. Prosecutors stated that these actions were carried out by Gus Alex in conjunction with the former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, the Chairman of the Kesthuri Association, Asrul Azis Taba, and the Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), Ismail Adham.