Hajj Acceleration Fee Distribution Codes Revealed in Court
The former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, has been identified as part of a coded list for the distribution of fees related to the acceleration of special Hajj, according to testimony from Rizky Fisa Abadi, the former Sub-Director of Licensing, Accreditation, and Development of Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK).
He explained that these specific codes were used to designate individuals entitled to a share of the funds. Rizky stated that the number ‘1’ in the list likely referred to the former Minister, Yaqut Cholil. However, Rizky maintained that Yaqut did not receive any portion of the Hajj acceleration fees.
This testimony was provided by Rizky while serving as a witness in the trial regarding the alleged corruption of the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday (17/9).
According to Rizky, the list was compiled following the 2023 Hajj operations, alongside a former temporary employee of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ridwan Kurniawan.
When prosecutors questioned the meaning of the numbers 1 through 10 in the list, Rizky identified them as codes. When asked specifically who code number 1 referred to, Rizky replied, “I forget exactly, but it likely refers to the Minister.”
When the prosecutor clarified, “The Minister of Religious Affairs, Mr Yaqut?” Rizky confirmed, “Yes, sir.”
In addition to Yaqut, Rizky stated that code number 2 referred to Yaqut’s special staff member, Ishfah Abidal Azis, also known as Gus Alex.
The same list contained specific monetary amounts designated as the acceleration fee shares for the individuals listed. Prosecutors then sought to confirm if these codes represented the specific amounts allocated to each person.
“So, does this mean that number one implies we receive 25,000 USD?” asked the prosecutor. Rizky replied, “Yes, sir.”
When asked who determined these specific amounts—such as 25,000 USD for one person and 100,000 USD for another—Rizky stated, “It was likely me, sir.”
Rizky also named Abdul Muhyi, the Head of Special Hajj Registration for 2014-2020, as someone who was aware of the distribution, alongside himself and Ridwan.
Rizky admitted to receiving the 2023 Hajj acceleration fee from Ridwan after the Hajj operations were completed. However, he emphasised that these fees were not transferred to Yaqut Cholil.
A current employee of the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Secretariat General, Rizky stated that the total amount under Ridwan’s control at the time was approximately US$905,000. He explained that this sum was then plotted for distribution, with approximately US$181,000 being shared among himself, Ridwan, and Abdul Muhyi.
When the prosecutor asked if the US$905,000 moved only between those three individuals, Rizky confirmed, “That is correct, sir.”
The prosecutor then sought to confirm whether any funds had reached Yaqut. “No funds moved towards Gus Yaqut?” the prosecutor asked. Rizky replied, “There were none, sir.”
To be certain, the prosecutor asked, “Let us confirm based on your testimony that no money moved towards Gus Yaqut?” Rizky confirmed, “That is correct, sir, there was none.”
In addition to Rizky, the KPK prosecutors also presented M. Agus Syafii, the Head of the Sub-Directorate of Licensing, Accreditation, and Development of Special Hajj, for the 2023-2024 period, during today’s proceedings.
There are four defendants being prosecuted in the case of alleged corruption regarding the 2023-2004 additional Hajj quota, which is suspected of causing state losses of Rp622,090,207,166.41 (approximately Rp622 billion), according to an investigative audit report by the Indonesian Audit Board (BPK RI).
The defendants include Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, special staff member Ishfah Abidal Azis (Gus Alex), Maktour Operational Director Ismail Adham, and the Chairman of the Kesthuri Association and Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama, Asrul Azis Taba.
The case is also alleged to have enriched several other parties, including 313 Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK).