Investigation Continues: KPK Summons 5 Travel Agency Executives in Hajj Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has scheduled examinations of five witnesses from Hajj and Umrah travel agencies or bureaux as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption concerning the 2023-2024 Hajj quota.
The examinations are taking place today at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in South Jakarta.
“Today, Tuesday (7/4), the KPK has scheduled the examination of witnesses in the alleged criminal act of corruption [TPK] related to the Hajj quota for the 2023-2024 Hajj pilgrimage,” stated KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in a written statement on Tuesday (7/4).
The five individuals summoned this time are: Director of PT Agas Khaera Muti Hanana, Sri Agung Nurhayati; President Director of PT Al Amin Mulia Lestari, Unang Abdul Fatah; Director of PT Al Aqsha Jisru Dakwah and also Director of PT Edipeni Travel, Christ Maharani Handayani.
Then, Director of PT Al Haadi Ziarah Ampel, Suwartini; and Operations Director of PT Alhijaz Indowisata, Dwi Puji Hastuti.
As of this report, there has been no confirmation of attendance from the five summoned witnesses.
The day before, on Monday (6/4), the KPK also summoned five witnesses from Hajj and Umrah travel agencies.
The five summoned were: Commissioner of PT Gema Shafa Marwa Tours, Ulfah Izzati; Manager of the Umrah and Hajj Division of PT Abdi Ummat Wisata, Kurniawan Chandra Permata; Operations Manager of PT Adzikra, Ali Farihin.
Then, General Manager of PT Aero Globe Indonesia, Ahmad Fauzan; and President Director of PT Afiz Nurul Qolbi (ANUBI), Eko Martino Wafa Afizputro.
Only three witnesses attended yesterday’s examination, namely Ali Farihin, Ahmad Fauzan, and Eko Martino Wafa Afizputro.
The three were questioned by investigators regarding the filling of quotas and the acquisition of illegal gains or alleged unlawful profits from additional quotas.
In this case, the KPK has already named four individuals as suspects.
Those named as suspects are former Minister of Religious Affairs of Indonesia for the 2019-2024 period, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas; Special Staff to Yaqut, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex; Operations Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), Ismail Adham; and Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and also General Chairman of the Kesthuri Association, Asrul Azis Taba.
Yaqut and Gus Alex are already detained at the KPK Detention Centre (Rutan), while Ismail and Asrul have not yet been detained.
In the process, the KPK has identified more than 300 travel agencies involved in managing additional Hajj quotas.
The KPK has also revealed that a number of travel agencies are hesitant to provide statements regarding these quota trading practices.
In handling this case, the KPK is applying Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law (UU Tipikor) in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code or as referred to in Article 603 or Article 604 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 20 letter (c) of the Criminal Code Law. These articles pertain to losses to state finances.
Based on calculations by the audit team of the Financial Audit Board (BPK) of Indonesia, the alleged corruption in the 2023-2024 Hajj quota is estimated to have caused state financial losses of Rp622 billion.