KPK Declines to Extend Travel Ban for Fuad Hasan Masyhur

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has decided not to extend the overseas travel ban on Maktour hajj tour operator owner Fuad Hasan Masyhur.

“No,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo told journalists in Jakarta on Thursday.

When asked about the KPK’s reasoning for not extending the ban despite allegations that the individual had disposed of evidence, Budi said the decision was based on the investigative needs of the hajj quota case.

“Extending the overseas travel ban is naturally based on the needs of the investigation process,” he explained.

Meanwhile, he said travel bans on two other individuals involved in the case would be extended. They are former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and Ishfah Abidal Aziz, also known as Gus Alex, who served as his special adviser during his tenure as minister.

Previously, on 9 August 2025, the KPK announced it had commenced an investigation into alleged corruption in the determination of quotas and the administration of hajj pilgrimages at the Ministry of Religious Affairs during 2023-2024.

On 11 August 2025, the KPK announced that preliminary calculations of state losses in the case exceeded Rp1 trillion and imposed travel bans on three individuals for up to six months.

Those banned from travelling were former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Ishfah Abidal Aziz, also known as Gus Alex, the former special adviser during Yaqut Cholil’s era, and Fuad Hasan Masyhur, owner of the Maktour hajj tour operator.

On 9 January 2026, the KPK announced that two of the three individuals subject to travel bans had been named suspects in the alleged hajj quota corruption case, namely Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) and Ishfah Abidal Aziz (IAA).

Separately, Yaqut filed a pre-trial motion at the South Jakarta District Court on 10 February 2026, registered under case number 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL.

The first pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 24 February 2026.