KPK Says Gus Alex Answered Summons and Was Immediately Examined

Jakarta – The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) stated that Ishfah Abidal Aziz, also known as Gus Alex (IAA), who served as special staff to Yaqut Cholil Qoumas during his tenure as Religious Affairs Minister, has answered the agency’s summons and is undergoing immediate examination.

“IAA has arrived at KPK’s Red-White Building for interrogation by investigators. He arrived at approximately 08.20 WIB,” said KPK Spokesman Budi Prasetyo to journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday.

However, Budi was unable to confirm whether Gus Alex would be detained on Tuesday or following his questioning as a suspect in the hajj quota case.

On 11 August 2025, the KPK announced an initial calculation of state losses in the case exceeding Rp1 trillion and imposed travel bans on three individuals for the next six months. Those banned from travelling were Yaqut, Gus Alex as Yaqut’s staff member, and Fuad Hasan Masyhur, owner of the Maktour hajj organising agency.

On 9 January 2026, the KPK announced that two of the three individuals under travel ban had become suspects in the alleged hajj quota corruption case: Yaqut and Gus Alex.

However, Yaqut filed a pre-trial motion challenging his suspect status at the South Jakarta District Court on 10 February 2026, registered under case number 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL.

On 19 February 2026, the KPK announced an extension of the travel ban for Yaqut and Gus Alex only, with Fuad’s ban not being extended.

On 27 February 2026, the KPK announced receipt of an audit from the State Audit Board (BPK) concerning state financial losses from the hajj quota case. Subsequently, on 4 March 2026, the KPK announced state financial losses from the case amounted to Rp622 billion.

On 11 March 2026, judges at the South Jakarta District Court rejected Yaqut’s pre-trial motion. On 12 March 2026, the KPK detained Yaqut at the detention facility in the KPK’s Red-White Building.