Hajj Quota Corruption Case: KPK Questions Gus Alex as Suspect Today
JAKARTA — Investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) have scheduled questioning of Ishfah Abidal Aziz (IAA), also known as Gus Alex (GA), the former special assistant to Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, as a suspect in an alleged hajj quota corruption case on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.
“Today, Tuesday, investigators have scheduled questioning of IAA, who served as special assistant to the Religious Affairs Minister during the 2020-2024 period,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo on Tuesday.
The KPK is confident that the former subordinate of Yaqut will cooperate and comply with the investigators’ summons. “The questioning has been scheduled at the KPK Red and White Building,” said Budi.
Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Prosecution and Execution at the KPK, stated that Gus Alex held a dominant role in collecting facilitation fees for special hajj pilgrimages from special hajj operators (PIHK).
“GA was the special assistant to YCQ, so officials there at that time believed that what GA communicated, because it was regarded as representing YCQ, was considered to be an order from YCQ,” explained Asep during a press conference on Friday, 13 March 2026.
“In other words, if I want to give money to person A and there is a representative of person B present, there is no need to go directly to A — I can simply give it to B because it is equivalent to giving it to A,” he added.
Investigators believe that the money collected by Gus Alex was allegedly intended to be handed over to Yaqut and used for various purposes. “This is reinforced by other statements as well as evidence, both electronic and other physical evidence,” said Asep.
Following questioning, the KPK decided to detain Yaqut for an initial 20-day period, from 12 to 31 March 2026.
Yaqut allegedly ordered the Director-General of Hajj and Umrah Operations (PHU), Hilman Latief, to redistribute hajj quotas from the standard 92 per cent for regular pilgrimage and 8 per cent for special pilgrimage to a proportional 50:50 split.
This order was conveyed by Yaqut following a meeting with the Advisory Board of the Silaturahmi Forum of the Hajj and Umrah Travel Association (Forum SATHU), Fuad Hasan Masyur, in November 2023.
Yaqut also requested that Hilman Latief prepare a draft memorandum of understanding with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding a proposal for additional hajj quotas under a 50:50 sharing arrangement.