KPK Probes Former PHU Director-General, Delves into Meetings with Minister over Additional Hajj Quota

Jakarta — The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is examining statements by Hilman Latief, the former Director-General of Hajj and Umrah (PHU), regarding meetings with former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in connection with the additional hajj quota for the 2023-2024 period. The material is being examined as Latief is questioned as a witness in relation to the alleged corruption in the hajj quota at the Merah Putih Building, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. ‘This includes being questioned about meetings with the Minister and other officials regarding the additional hajj quota,’ KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said in a statement on Thursday, 21 May 2026. ‘The witness HL is being probed regarding efforts by associations or PIHK (Penyelenggara Ibadah Haji Khusus) to manage the additional hajj quota,’ he added. ‘In the continuation of the investigation into the hajj quota case, today investigators questioned witness HL, as Director-General of PHU at the Ministry of Religious Affairs,’ he said. Budi said Latief had arrived at the Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon. ‘The examination is ongoing. We will provide further updates,’ he said. KPK has named four suspects in the hajj quota corruption case: former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas; former special staff Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex; former chairman of the United Association of Tour Travel Hajj Umrah (Kesthuri) Asrul Azis Taba; and Ismail Adham, Director of Operations at PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour). KPK alleges there was a scheme to fill the additional special hajj quota that did not comply with statutory provisions, and that money was paid to state officials. Ismail Adham is suspected of giving US$30,000 to former special staff Gus Alex in connection with the arrangement of the additional special quota. Meanwhile, Asrul Azis Taba is suspected of giving US$406,000 to Gus Alex for the arrangement of the additional special quota. As a result of these payments, eight PIHK affiliated with ASR also derived illicit gains in 2024 amounting to Rp 40.8 billion. KPK states that Gus Alex and Hilman represent Yaqut in receiving the money.