KPK Extends Overseas Travel Ban on Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut and Gus Alex
The Directorate General of Immigration has once again barred former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, who served under seventh President Joko Widodo from 2020 to 2024, and his former special staff member Ishfah Abidal Aziz, known as Gus Alex, from travelling overseas for six months until 12 August 2026.
The decision was issued at the request of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which is handling an alleged corruption case involving additional hajj quotas for the 2024 hajj season.
“That is correct, the KPK has extended the overseas travel ban for both suspects in the hajj quota case — YCQ [Yaqut Cholil Qoumas] and IAA [Ishfah Abidal Aziz],” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo when contacted via written message on Thursday (19 February).
Budi explained that the extension of the overseas travel ban was necessary as the investigation is still ongoing.
“Correct, until 12 August 2026,” he said.
Meanwhile, another party involved — Maktour Travel owner Fuad Hasan Masyhur — is now free to travel abroad as the KPK has not included his name on the travel ban list.
Yaqut and Gus Alex have been designated as suspects by the KPK in the alleged corruption case involving additional hajj quotas for the 2024 hajj season. Neither has been detained.
On Tuesday, 10 February 2026, Yaqut filed a pre-trial motion at the South Jakarta District Court to challenge the formal validity of his suspect designation by the KPK.
The motion has been registered under case number 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL, with the first hearing scheduled for Tuesday, 24 February 2026.
During the course of the investigation, the KPK has conducted raids at several locations, including Yaqut’s residence in Condet, East Jakarta; a hajj and umrah travel agency office in Jakarta; the home of a Religious Affairs Ministry civil servant in Depok; and offices within the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Administration at the Religious Affairs Ministry.
A substantial volume of evidence allegedly linked to the case has been seized, including documents, electronic evidence, four-wheeled vehicles, and property.
According to the KPK’s preliminary calculations, the case is suspected of causing state losses exceeding Rp1 trillion. The KPK is still awaiting the final calculation currently being conducted by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).