KPK Prepares 'Surprise' in Hajj Quota Case Today, to Announce New Suspects?

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is preparing to deliver a surprise regarding the developments in handling the Hajj quota case at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) on Wednesday (25/3/2026). KPK has not indicated whether this involves naming new suspects or not.

“Tomorrow, we are planning to have progress, yes, related to the handling of this Hajj quota. Just wait for tomorrow (25/3/2026) for the progress, and of course, we will hold another press conference,” said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, Asep Guntur Rahayu, to reporters on Tuesday (24/3/2026).

KPK is still keeping secret the findings obtained by investigators. KPK invites the public to monitor the developments in the case.

“Well, wait for tomorrow. If we announce it now, it wouldn’t be good. Tomorrow (25/3), we will hold a press conference,” Asep stated.

On the other hand, investigators have scheduled an examination of former Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas on 25 March. Yaqut returned to KPK detention on 24 March. Yaqut had been granted house arrest status from 19-23 March.

“Why was he transferred back today (to KPK detention)? First, because tomorrow (25/3) there is a scheduled request for information from the individual,” Asep explained.

Previously, KPK assured that the investigation into the Hajj quota case would not stop after the detention of Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and Gus Alex. KPK is open to expanding the investigation to private parties in the Hajj quota case.

Regarding the organisation of the 2023/1444 H Hajj pilgrimage, KPK explained in May 2023 that the Saudi Arabian Government provided an additional Hajj quota of 8,000 to the Indonesian Government. Then, Fuad Hasan Masyhur (FHM), as the Advisory Board of the Forum for Silaturahmi of Hajj and Umrah Travel Associations (Sathu) and also the boss of Maktour, sent a letter to Yaqut aimed at “maximising the absorption of the additional quota”. This is what will be the subject of KPK’s investigation into Fuad.

“Of course, investigators will summon private parties again. One of them from Maktour or the Sathu Association, where in the case construction we already explained yesterday, the roles carried out by Mr FHM in the process of distributing the additional Hajj quota both in 2023 and 2024,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo on Tuesday (17/3/2026).

KPK will delve deeper into Fuad Hasan’s role in this case. Fuad’s testimony is expected to uncover the impact of the additional Hajj quota manipulation on Hajj organising companies.

“We want to delve deeper into his roles. Then, the impact of the distribution of the additional Hajj quota on the associations and the parties involved,” Budi said.

In this case, KPK had previously designated Yaqut as a suspect along with former Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs, Isfan Abidal Aziz (IAA) alias Gus Alex. Yaqut is 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 jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code.

KPK subsequently detained Suspect Yaqut for the first 20 days from 12 to 31 March 2026. The detention was carried out at the KPK’s Red and White Building Branch State Detention Centre (Rutan). But Yaqut temporarily escaped detention at this facility because he became a house detainee from 19 March. Meanwhile, Alex was detained by KPK on 17 March.

KPK’s decision to allow Yaqut house arrest status drew much criticism. As a result, KPK finally chose to return Yaqut to KPK detention.