KPK Re-examines Yaqut After Announcing Two New Suspects
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has re-examined former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas today after announcing two new suspects in a press conference on Monday (30/3) yesterday.
Based on observations by CNNIndonesia.com at the KPK’s Red and White Building in South Jakarta, Yaqut arrived around 12:47 WIB. Wearing an orange KPK detainee vest with his hands handcuffed, he was immediately directed by officers to the second floor to undergo examination.
On Monday, the KPK announced Ismail Adham, Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), and Asrul Azis Taba, Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and Chairman of the Kesthuri Association, as new suspects in the alleged corruption case regarding the 2023-2024 Hajj quota.
The designation of these suspects follows the earlier detention of Yaqut and his special staff member Ishfah Abidal Aziz, alias Gus Alex.
Ismail and Asrul are charged with violating Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law (UU Tipikor) in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code or as referred to in Article 603 or Article 604 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 20 letter (c) of the Criminal Code Law. This relates to losses to state finances.
Based on calculations by the audit team of the Financial Audit Board (BPK) of Indonesia, the case is suspected to have caused state financial losses amounting to Rp622 billion.
In the ongoing investigation process, the KPK has found that more than 300 Hajj and Umrah travel agencies across almost all regions in Indonesia received quotas that were pre-arranged.
KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu assured that his side would do its utmost to recover the state losses.
“The calculation will naturally fall under the domain of the BPK auditors. Therefore, we pray that this case can be resolved soon. We will bring it to trial, and in the trial, the calculation methodology and how we arrive at the figure of Rp622 billion will become clearer,” said Asep during a press conference at his office in Jakarta on Monday (30/3).
Roles of Ismail and Asrul
Ismail and Asrul are alleged to have played an active role in arranging the allocation of additional special Hajj quotas that did not comply with applicable regulations, as well as providing sums of money to state officials.
The two suspects, together with Fuad Hasan Masyhur as the Advisory Board of the SATHU Forum (Forum for Silaturahmi of Hajj and Umrah Travel Associations) and other parties, held meetings with Yaqut and Ishfah.
The meetings aimed to request an increase in special Hajj quotas exceeding the 8 percent limit as stipulated in the regulations.
Consequently, the allocation of regular and special Hajj quotas was divided on a 50 percent-50 percent scheme.
Furthermore, Ismail and Asrul, together with parties from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, arranged the filling of additional special Hajj quotas for companies affiliated with Maktour, thereby obtaining additional special Hajj quotas, including Hajj quotas under the accelerated departure scheme (T0).
“Suspect ISM [Ismail Adham] is alleged to have given a sum of money to IAA [Ishfah] amounting to US$30,000 as well as to HL [Hilman Latief, Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organisers at the Ministry of Religious Affairs] amounting to US$5,000 and 16,000 SAR,” said Asep.
For these actions, Maktour obtained unjust enrichment (illegal gain) in 2024 amounting to approximately Rp27.8 billion.
“Meanwhile, suspect ASR [Asrul Azis Taba] is alleged to have given a sum of money to HL amounting to US$406,000,” Asep continued.
For this giving, Asep said, 8 Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK) affiliated with Asrul also obtained unjust enrichment in 2024 totaling Rp40.8 billion.
“The receipt of sums of money by IAA and HL from the suspects is alleged to represent YCQ [Yaqut Cholil Qoumas], the Minister of Religious Affairs at the time,” Asep stated.