Kesthuri Chairman, New Hajj Quota Corruption Suspect, Located in Saudi Arabia

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has disclosed that one of the suspects in the Hajj quota corruption case, Asrul Azis Taba (ASR), who serves as Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and Chairman of the Kesthuri Association, is currently abroad, specifically in Saudi Arabia.

“One of the suspects, Mr ASR, is currently detected to be abroad, still in Saudi Arabia,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters at the KPK Building in Jakarta on Tuesday (31/3).

Budi stated that the authorities have received confirmation from the Immigration Office and have communicated with Asrul.

“The investigators have also obtained confirmation from the Immigration side and have successfully communicated with suspect ASR,” Budi said.

Budi also urged Asrul to return to Indonesia immediately to follow the investigation process.

“Therefore, on this occasion, we also urge suspect ASR to return to the homeland as soon as possible so that if needed, he can undergo examination by the investigators in his capacity as a suspect and fulfil the summons,” he said.

However, Budi revealed that no examination summons letter has been issued to Asrul yet.

“The examination summons letter has not been issued yet; we have not sent the examination summons letter,” he said.

Budi said they will continue to communicate intensively with the Indonesian Embassy in Saudi Arabia (KBRI) and other parties.

“We recall that in several previous cases, many KPK suspects were positioned abroad, and the KPK coordinated intensively with authorities there. This could be with the KBRI or other parties to help bring back those whose presence is needed to return to the homeland so they can follow the investigation process properly,” he said.

Role of Ismail and Asrul

On Monday (30/3), the KPK announced Asrul and Ismail Adham, Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), as new suspects in the alleged 2023-2024 Hajj quota corruption case.

The designation of these suspects follows the earlier detention of Yaqut and his special staff Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex.

Ismail and Asrul are suspected of violating 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 meant 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. This relates to losses to state finances.

Ismail and Asrul are alleged to have actively arranged the filling of additional special Hajj quotas that did not comply with statutory regulations, as well as the giving of money to state officials.

The two suspects, together with Fuad Hasan Masyhur as the Board of Trustees of the SATHU Forum (Forum for Silaturahmi of Hajj and Umrah Travel Associations) and other parties, held meetings with Yaqut and Ishfah.

The meeting was intended to request an increase in the special Hajj quota exceeding the 8 percent limit as regulated by law.

Eventually, in the process, the regular and special Hajj quotas were divided in a 50 percent-50 percent scheme.

Subsequently, Ismail and Asrul, together with parties from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, arranged the filling of additional special Hajj quotas for companies affiliated with Maktour, thereby obtaining additional special Hajj quotas, including Hajj quotas with an accelerated departure scheme (T0).

“Suspect ISM [Ismail Adham] is alleged to have given a sum of money to IAA [Ishfah] amounting to US$30,000 as well as to Mr HL [Hilman Latief, Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organisers of the Ministry of Religious Affairs] amounting to US$5,000 and 16,000 SAR,” said Asep.

For these actions, Maktour obtained unlawful gains (illegal gain) in 2024 amounting to approximately Rp27.8 billion.

“Meanwhile, suspect ASR is alleged to have given a sum of money to Mr IAA amounting to US$406,000,” Asep continued.

For that giving, Asep said, eight Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK) affiliated with Asrul also obtained unlawful gains in 2024 totaling Rp40.8 billion.

“The receipt of money by IAA and HL from the suspects is alleged to represent Mr YCQ as the Religious Affairs Minister at that time,” Asep stated.