KPK Reveals US$1 Million from Yaqut Already in Hands of DPR Hajj Special Committee Intermediary, But Not Yet Distributed

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed that US$1 million from former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has been received by an intermediary for the DPR’s Special Committee on Hajj with the initials ZA, but has not yet been distributed to DPR members. Acting Director of Investigations at the KPK, Achmad Taufik, stated that the money was handed over by Yaqut to influence the DPR Hajj Special Committee through his former special staff member, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex. “The facts we have uncovered confirm that there is indeed a witness named ZA who acted as an intermediary for the handover of money to the committee members. Whether that US$1 million has already been received or used—based on what we have examined and documented in the official report, it has not yet been used,” Taufik said at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Monday (13/4/2026). “We have also conducted examinations and seizures,” he added. He has not yet confirmed plans to summon members of the DPR Hajj Special Committee in this case. Taufik explained that this depends on the investigators’ needs. “At this stage of the investigation, it has not been done. But if needed later, we will delve deeper,” he said. “Based on statements from the witnesses, there was indeed an effort by Mr YCQ when this committee was formed and began holding sessions. There was an attempt to give something, but it was rejected,” said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu on 12 March 2026. Asep mentioned that the amount of money allegedly intended for the DPR Hajj Special Committee was around US$1 million. “The amount was around US$1 million, but it was rejected,” Asep stated. According to the KPK, the money was collected by officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs under instructions from Yaqut’s former special staff, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, from associations of Hajj travel bureau forums. The funds originated from levies imposed on organisers of special Hajj pilgrimages or Hajj travel agencies.