KPK Seizes 1 Million US Dollars Prepared by Yaqut to Influence DPR's Hajj Special Committee
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized money amounting to 1 million US dollars in connection with the alleged corruption case involving hajj quotas that ensnared former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
KPK Acting Director of Investigation Achmad Taufik Husein stated that the money was allegedly prepared by Yaqut to influence the DPR’s Special Committee (Pansus) on Hajj.
“We have conducted examinations and subsequently carried out the seizure,” Taufik said at the Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Monday (13/4/2026).
Taufik confirmed that the 1 million US dollars was handed over by Yaqut through his former special staff member, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, to a person designated as an intermediary for the DPR’s Hajj Special Committee, initialled ZA.
“The facts we have uncovered confirm that there is a witness named ZA who acted as an intermediary for handing over the money to committee members. Whether that (1 million US dollars) has been received or used—we have delved into this, and as recorded in the minutes, it has not yet been used,” Taufik explained.
Previously, KPK stated that Yaqut had attempted to give 1 million US dollars to the DPR’s Hajj Special Committee when it was first formed and began holding sessions.
“Based on statements from witnesses, there was indeed an attempt by Mr YCQ when this Special Committee was formed and subsequently held sessions. So 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.
The money originated from levies imposed on organisers of special hajj pilgrimages or hajj travel agencies.
Gus Alex is said to have instructed the Deputy Head of Licensing, Accreditation, and Development of Special Hajj Organisers at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, M Agus Syafi, to demand a certain amount of money from the Special Hajj Pilgrimage Organisers (PIHK).
The levy amounted to at least 2,500 US dollars per pilgrim as an additional fee so that PIHK could obtain additional special hajj quotas.
Meanwhile, Marwan Dasopang, Chairman of DPR RI Commission VIII who was once a member of the Hajj Special Committee, expressed shock upon hearing of the influence attempt revealed by KPK.
Marwan stated that he was unaware of any such attempt during the working process of the DPR’s Hajj Special Committee, which investigated issues in the organisation of the 2023-2024 hajj.