KPK Investigates Flow of Funds from Hajj Quota Corruption for Yaqut's Personal Use
The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) is investigating allegations of corruption in the administration and distribution of hajj quotas at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) that has implicated former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ). The anti-corruption agency suspects the funds were used for personal interests and bribery attempts.
“During the investigation process, we will certainly investigate where the funds have been used by the person in question (Yaqut),” said Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, at the KPK’s Red and White Building in South Jakarta on Friday (13 March).
Investigation Focus on Personal Use and Alleged Bribery
Asep explained that so far, investigators have not found evidence of corruption funds flowing to certain religious organisations. The current investigation focuses on the use of money for the suspect’s personal needs and alleged attempts to provide gratification to the Special Committee (Pansus) on Hajj in the House of Representatives.
“Based on information we have obtained so far, aside from being used for personal interests, the suspect also allegedly attempted to provide something to the Pansus, but this was rejected by the Pansus,” Asep stated firmly.
Case Construction and Detention
In this case, the KPK has officially detained Yaqut Cholil Qoumas for an initial detention period of 20 days for investigation purposes. Besides Yaqut, the KPK has also designated former Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs, Isfan Abidal Aziz (IAA), alias Gus Alex, as a suspect.
The alleged corruption stems from a policy distributing an additional 20,000 hajj quotas for pilgrims, which is deemed to have violated regulations. According to the rules, additional quotas should be allocated proportionally; however, in practice, the distribution was done equally at 50 per cent each. This disparity is strongly suspected to have created an opportunity for corruption and quota manipulation that harmed the queue of regular hajj pilgrims.
Witness Examinations
So far, the KPK has summoned several officials within the Ministry of Religious Affairs as well as private parties from umrah and hajj travel service providers. One witness who has been asked to provide statements to strengthen evidence is Islamic scholar Khalid Basalamah.
The KPK reaffirmed its commitment to resolving this case through to court proceedings. The alleged modus operandi enabled prospective pilgrims who had newly registered to depart immediately by paying a certain sum of money. The summons of the suspects is a mandatory procedure before the case is referred to trial. The estimated state loss from the case is 622 billion rupiah.