KPK Addresses Hilman Latief's Denial of Hajj Quota Funds Receipt

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has responded to former Director General of Hajj and Umrah Affairs at the Ministry of Religion Hilman Latief’s denial of receiving alleged funds related to the 2023-2024 additional hajj quota. Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, has urged the public to be patient as the trial proceeds for the four suspects already charged. ‘I have also read in the media about what the individual, Mr HL [Hilman Latief], has stated. Naturally, this will be confirmed during the trial,’ Asep said after attending the Pancasila Birth Anniversary ceremony at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Monday (1 June). ‘We will await the trial proceedings to see what unfolds. We will obtain testimonies, but not only from the individual concerned. We are also confirming with witnesses and the recipients, as such,’ he added. Based on initial KPK findings, Hilman Latief is suspected of receiving US$5,000 and 16,000 Saudi riyals in connection with alleged hajj quota corruption from Maktour’s Operational Director Ismail Adham. Meanwhile, after being questioned as a witness on Wednesday (20 May), Hilman stated there was no discussion regarding the flow of hajj quota funds to him. Hilman concluded his questioning at around 7:15 pm WIB. ‘There was no such discussion,’ Hilman said. Hilman merely explained to investigators that the special and regular hajj quotas were divided equally at 50 per cent each. According to the KPK, this division contradicts Law No. 8 of 2019 on Hajj and Umrah Services, which stipulates that special hajj quotas should account for 8 per cent of Indonesia’s total hajj quota, with the majority allocated to regular quotas. ‘I have already informed the investigators,’ Hilman stated briefly. During the questioning, the KPK, via spokesperson Budi Prasetyo, stated that investigators confirmed several meetings between Hilman and former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (2019-2024) and other officials to discuss the 2023-2024 additional hajj quota. ‘The questioning of witness Mr HL [Hilman Latief] delves into efforts by associations or PIHK (Special Hajj Service Providers) to manage the additional hajj quota,’ KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said in a written response on Thursday (21 May). ‘This includes confirmed meetings with the minister and other officials regarding the additional hajj quota,’ he added. The KPK has so far charged four suspects in the case, which is alleged to have caused a state financial loss of Rp622 billion. They include former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and his special staff, Ishfah Abidal Aziz, alias Gus Alex, who are already in custody. Two other suspects, not yet detained, are Maktour’s Operational Director Ismail Adham and Raudah Eksati Utama Commissioner and Kesthuri Association Chairman Asrul Azis Taba. In handling the hajj quota case, the KPK is applying Article 2(1) and/or Article 3 of the Anti-Corruption Law (UU Tipikor) in conjunction with Article 55(1)(1) of the Criminal Code (KUHP), or as stipulated in Articles 603 or 604 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code (KUHP) in conjunction with Article 20(c) of the KUHP.