KPK: Kesthuri Chairman Gave USD 406,000 to Former Aide Yaqut Regarding Hajj Quota Allocation
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) states that Asrul Azis Taba, Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and Chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Travel Association (Kesthuri), gave USD 406,000 to Ishfah Abidal Aziz, alias Gus Alex, the former special staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, related to the arrangement of filling additional special Hajj quotas.
“Suspect ASR (Asrul Azis Taba) is alleged to have given a sum of money to IAA (Gus Alex) amounting to USD 406,000,” said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu during a press conference at the Red and White Building, Jakarta, on Monday (30/3/2026).
Asep stated that due to the provision of USD 406,000, eight Special Hajj Pilgrimage Organisers (PIHK) affiliated with Asrul also obtained unlawful profits in 2024 totalling Rp 40.8 billion.
“The receipt of the money by IAA (Gus Alex) is alleged to represent YCQ as the Minister of Religious Affairs at that time,” he said.
For their actions, Ismail and Asrul are charged with violating Article 2 paragraph (1) and or Article 3 of Law No. 31 of 1999 jo. Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 on Amendments to Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption juncto Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code.
Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had detained former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as a suspect in the alleged corruption case of Hajj quotas for 2023-2024, on Thursday (12/3/2026).
In addition to Yaqut, the KPK also detained other suspects, namely Yaqut’s special staff, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, on Tuesday (17/3/2026).
Both are charged under Article 2 and Article 3 of the Law on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption (UU Tipikor), which regulates state losses.
Based on calculations by the KPK together with the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), the value of state losses due to this corruption case reaches Rp 622 billion.