KPK Reveals Former Religion Minister Yaqut Attempted to Condition Special Hajj Committee with USD 1 Million Bribe But Was Rejected
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed that former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas attempted to “condition” the House of Representatives’ special hajj committee (Pansus Haji) to facilitate his plan to distribute additional hajj quotas equally, contrary to regulations. However, Yaqut’s efforts were unsuccessful as the committee members rejected the money he attempted to provide.
KPK’s Deputy for Prosecution and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu stated that Yaqut sought to influence the Pansus Haji by offering funds derived from fees he collected by allocating 50 per cent additional quotas to special hajj operators (PIHK). The quota should have been limited to only 8 per cent of the total 20,000 additional quotas that Indonesia obtained in 2024.
“The money collected from these fees was allegedly used to condition the Pansus Haji, as known to Yaqut,” Asep explained during a press conference at KPK headquarters in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Thursday (12 March 2026).
Asep stated that Yaqut’s bribery attempt yielded no results because the Pansus Haji rejected the money offered. He noted that the amount Yaqut attempted to give was approximately USD 1 million.
“So there was an attempt to give something, but it was rejected. This is, thank God, the committee was very good, with integrity, so it was rejected. The amount was around USD 1 million, but it was rejected,” Asep explained.
According to Asep, the money was ultimately retained by Yaqut. This cash is now among the evidence secured by the KPK.
“In the end, it was kept. And that is one of the pieces of evidence that shows money was collected from pilgrims, then through the travel association forum, it was used, partly on the orders of Yaqut,” he said.
Previously, Yaqut’s decision to distribute additional hajj quotas equally, contrary to regulations, generated fees for him. These fees were collected through staff at the Directorate for Umrah and Special Hajj Development and the Sub-directorate for Licensing, Accreditation, and Special Hajj Operations Management, directed by Gus Alex.
The money was collected as a fee for expedited special hajj departures without waiting. Gus Alex instructed staff in both units to appoint a person to coordinate the fee collection from travel associations and special hajj operators.
“The fee was agreed at USD 2,000 or approximately Rp33.8 million per pilgrim,” Asep stated.
M Agus Syafi (MAS), as Sub-director for Licensing, Accreditation, and Special Hajj Operations Management, was instructed by Gus Alex to collect funds from special hajj operators, which were ultimately charged to prospective special hajj pilgrims at a minimum of USD 2,500 (approximately Rp42.2 million) per pilgrim.
“The collection of these funds took place between February and June 2024,” he added.