KPK Extends Gus Alex's Detention by 40 Days in Hajj Quota Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has extended the detention period of Ishfah Abidal Aziz, alias Gus Alex, special staff to former Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, by 40 days. The extension takes effect from Friday, 3 April 2025.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that investigators still require additional time to complete the case file for the alleged corruption in the 2023-2024 Hajj quota.
“Investigators are carrying out the first extension of detention for suspect IAA [Ishfah Abidal Aziz] for the next 40 days, following the initial 20-day detention yesterday,” Budi said when contacted on Sunday (5/4).
Next week, Budi indicated that investigators will conduct a series of examinations of parties from Hajj Special Pilgrimage Organisers (PIHK). The examinations will take place at the KPK office and in several regions.
The KPK has requested that the witnesses summoned cooperate by fulfilling the call.
“In this case, investigators will also begin a marathon of examinations next week against several witnesses, including those from PIHK, with examinations conducted in Jakarta or at the Merah Putih KPK Building, as well as in other regions depending on the locations of the PIHK or travel bureaus,” Budi said.
The KPK has also extended the detention of Yaqut by 40 days.
Based on calculations by the audit team of the Financial Audit Board (BPK) of the Republic of Indonesia, the alleged corruption in the 2023-2024 Hajj quota is estimated to have caused state financial losses of Rp622 billion.
During the ongoing investigation, the KPK has discovered more than 300 Hajj and Umrah travel agents across nearly all regions in Indonesia that received pre-arranged quotas.
Budi assured that investigators will strive to the maximum to recover state assets lost due to the unlawful actions of the suspects in the corruption case.
“Moreover, the investigators’ focus is on optimising assets or asset recovery. If we look at the BPK’s calculations, the state financial losses amount to more than Rp600 billion. This will certainly be a focus for investigators to ensure optimal asset recovery from this case,” he said.
In addition to Yaqut and Ishfah who are already detained, the KPK announced two new suspects on Monday (30/3).
They are Ismail Adham, Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), and Asrul Azis Taba, Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and General Chairman of the Kesthuri Association.
Ismail and Asrul are charged with 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 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.
Ismail and Asrul are alleged to have played an active role in arranging the filling of additional special Hajj quotas that did not comply with applicable laws and regulations, as well as providing sums of money to state organisers, in this case, several officials at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.