KPK Reveals Seized Assets Worth Rp6.5 Billion from Hajj Acceleration Fees

Prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) have presented several pieces of seized evidence consisting of assets totalling approximately Rp6.5 billion, belonging to the former Sub-Director of Licensing, Accreditation, and Development of Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK), Rizky Fisa Abadi, and the former Sub-Director of Special Hajj, Muhammad Agus Syafii.

These assets are alleged to have originated from fees paid to accelerate the Hajj pilgrimage arrangements. The seized items include houses, shop-houses, land, boarding houses, and one unit of a Toyota Fortuner.

“Did the money come from your income while working as a civil servant, or did it come from other sources?” asked the prosecutor while confirming the evidence to Ridwan during a follow-up hearing regarding the alleged corruption of the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday (17/9).

“From other sources, Sir,” replied Rizky Fisa.

“From other sources. From the results of the acceleration [hajj acceleration fees] in 2023?” the prosecutor added.

“Yes, Sir,” answered Rizky Fisa.

A similar admission was made by Agus Syafii. He confirmed that his assets were purchased using proceeds from the fees for accelerating the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage arrangements.

“All the money we are asking about comes entirely from the acceleration. Is that correct? For the year 2024?” asked the prosecutor.

“Correct,” replied Agus Syafii.

Rizky Fisa and Agus Syafii were brought by KPK prosecutors as witnesses for four defendants, namely the former Minister of Religious Affairs for the 2019-2024 period, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas; Yaqut’s Special Staff, Ishfah Abidal Azis, also known as Gus Alex; the Operational Director of Maktour, Ismail Adham; and the General Chairman of the Kesthuri Association, who is also the Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama, Asrul Azis Taba.

The alleged corruption case involving the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota is estimated to have caused state losses of Rp622,090,070,166.41 (approximately Rp622 billion).

This figure for state losses is based on the Investigative Audit Result Report from the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK). The case is also alleged to have enriched several other parties, including 313 Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK).