KPK States New Suspects in Hajj Quota Corruption Gave Money, Yaqut's Claim Refuted
JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has disclosed that two new suspects in the Hajj quota corruption case are suspected of giving money to parties linked to former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu stated that this allegation refutes Yaqut’s claim that he did not receive any money in the Hajj quota corruption case.
“YCQ (Yaqut Cholil Qoumas) has always been saying everywhere or publicising that ‘I didn’t receive anything.’ Didn’t receive anything, nothing. Well, with the coercive measures taken against these two individuals, it’s clear that these two mentioned earlier gave a sum of money,” Asep said at the Red and White Building in Jakarta on Monday (30/3/2026).
The two new suspects are Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) Ismail Adham and Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama as well as General Chairman of the Kesthuri Association, Asrul Azis Taba.
In this case, Ismail Adham is suspected of giving USD 30,000 to former special staff of Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, related to arrangements for filling the additional special Hajj quota.
“Suspect ISM (Ismail Adham) is suspected of giving a sum of money to IAA (Gus Alex) amounting to USD 30,000,” Asep said.
“For that act, PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) obtained unlawful gains (illegal gain) in 2024 amounting to approximately Rp 27.8 billion,” Asep added.
Meanwhile, Asrul Azis Taba gave USD 406,000 to Gus Alex.
“The receipt of a sum of money by IAA (Gus Alex) is suspected to represent YCQ as Minister of Religious Affairs at that time,” he stated.
Asep said that this action fulfils the elements of Articles 2 and 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law (UU Tipikor), which regulate state losses.
“Of course, this enters the fulfilment of the element of self-enrichment. Yes, that’s what’s emphasised there,” he said.
This was stated by Yaqut while wearing the KPK detainee vest after being examined as a suspect.
“I have never received a single penny from the case accused against me, and I carried out all these policies solely for the safety of the pilgrims,” Yaqut said at the Red and White Building in Jakarta on Thursday (12/3/2026).
Yaqut and Gus Alex are charged under Articles 2 and 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law (UU Tipikor), which regulate state losses.
Based on calculations by the KPK together with the Financial Audit Board, the state losses due to this corruption case amount to Rp 622 billion.