Hajj Quota Corruption Suspect Asrul Azis Files Pretrial Motion Against KPK, Hearing Set for 19 June

The chairman of the Kesthuri Association, Asrul Azis Taba, has filed a pretrial motion against the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) over his designation as a suspect in the 2023-2024 hajj quota corruption case. The first hearing is set for Friday, 19 June 2026. “The first hearing is on Friday, 19 June 2026,” stated the Case Tracking Information System (SIPP) of the South Jakarta District Court, as quoted on Saturday (13/6/2026). The pretrial motion was registered by Asrul Azis on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, under case number 89/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL. The motion was filed to challenge his suspect status. “Case classification: the legality of the forced measure of suspect designation,” the SIPP noted. Previously, a member of Asrul’s legal advisory team, Rhama Rizky Vianto, stated the pretrial motion was submitted to examine the legality of the suspect designation and detention of his client. He said his client never received a notification of the commencement of investigation (SPDP) from the KPK. “We respect the KPK’s authority in eradicating corruption. However, every forced measure must be carried out based on the law. Law enforcement must not ignore the principle of due process of law, the presumption of innocence, and the right to fair legal certainty,” Rhama said in a written statement on Tuesday (9/6). His team also questioned the validity of the two pieces of evidence used to designate his client as a suspect. He argued that the evidence forming the basis for the suspect designation must have existed before 30 March 2026, been obtained legally, and directly indicated the alleged role of his client. He also noted that his client was never questioned before being named a suspect. He highlighted the issuance of an investigation order numbered Sprin.Dik/22/Dik.00/01/03/2026 by the KPK simultaneously with the Suspect Designation Decree Number 524 of 2026. “An investigation should be a process of seeking and gathering evidence to clarify a criminal act and identify the suspect. If the investigation order and suspect designation were issued on the same date, while our client did not receive an SPDP and was never previously examined, it is reasonable to question whether the suspect designation resulted from an objective investigation or was predetermined,” he stated. The KPK previously detained Asrul. His detention coincided with that of another suspect, the Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), Ismail Adham. “Suspects ISM and ASR are detained for the first 20 days from 8 to 27 June 2026. The detention is at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building branch detention centre,” said Acting KPK Director of Investigation Taufik Ahmad Husein during a press conference at the KPK building in Kuningan, Jakarta, on Monday (8/6). The two suspects, together with officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, allegedly arranged additional special hajj quotas for companies affiliated with Maktour and the NRA Group or the Kesthuri Association. This allowed these travel companies to offer additional hajj quotas under an accelerated or queue-free scheme. “As a result of these actions, PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) obtained illegal gains in 2024 amounting to approximately Rp 27.8 billion,” he stated. In this hajj quota corruption case, the KPK has named four suspects: 1. Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) 2. Former Special Staff to Yaqut, Ishfah Abidal Azis alias Gus Alex (IAA) 3. Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) Ismail Adham (ISM) 4. Chairman of the Kesthuri Association Asrul Azis Taba (ASR).