KPK States Asrul Aziz's Presence Abroad Poses No Obstacle in Haji Quota Case
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) considers the presence of suspect in the alleged hajj quota corruption case, as well as former General Chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Travel Agency Union (Kesthuri) Asrul Aziz Taba (ASR), abroad—specifically in Saudi Arabia—not to be an obstacle in the investigation of the case.
“Of course, the suspect ASR’s presence abroad does not pose an obstacle in the investigation of this case,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Furthermore, Budi stated that the KPK is confident that Asrul Aziz will be cooperative in the hajj quota investigation.
“We are confident that the suspect will act cooperatively because there has indeed been communication between the investigators and the suspect, so we can also confirm and verify that the individual is indeed in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Meanwhile, he mentioned that the KPK will coordinate with authorities in Saudi Arabia to expedite Asrul Aziz’s return to Indonesia so that the suspect can undergo the investigation process.
“We recall that in several previous cases, many KPK suspects were abroad, and the KPK coordinated intensively with authorities there. This could be with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) or other parties to help bring back those whose presence is needed to return to the homeland, so they can properly follow this investigation process,” he stated.
Previously, on 9 August 2025, the KPK began investigating the alleged corruption case related to Indonesia’s hajj quota for 2023–2024.
On 9 January 2026, the KPK announced former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, as special staff to Yaqut, as suspects in the case.
Meanwhile, Fuad Hasan Masyhur, owner of the hajj organiser Maktour, was not named as a suspect, although he had been banned from leaving the country.
On 27 February 2026, the KPK announced that it had received an audit from the Financial Audit Board (BPK) of the Republic of Indonesia regarding state financial losses due to the hajj quota case.
Then, on 4 March 2026, the KPK announced that state financial losses due to the case amounted to Rp622 billion.
On 12 March 2026, the KPK detained Yaqut at the KPK’s Red and White Building State Detention House Branch.
Subsequently, on 17 March 2026, the KPK detained Gus Alex at the KPK’s Central Anti-Corruption Education Detention House Branch.
On the same date, Yaqut’s family requested the KPK to allow the former Minister of Religious Affairs to be under house arrest. The KPK subsequently granted the request, and Yaqut has been under house arrest since 19 March 2026.
On 23 March 2026, the KPK announced that it was processing the transfer of Yaqut’s detention from house arrest back to detention centre. On 24 March 2026, Yaqut officially became a detainee at the KPK Detention Centre.
The KPK announced two new suspects in the case on 30 March 2026. They are Maktour’s Operational Director Ismail Adham and General Chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Travel Agency Union (Kesthuri) Asrul Aziz Taba.