KPK States Suspect in Hajj Quota Case is in Saudi Arabia
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The KPK has stated that one of the suspects in the alleged Hajj quota corruption case, Asrul Azis Taba (ASR), is currently in Saudi Arabia. The KPK has assured that it will coordinate with authorities in Saudi Arabia to ensure the legal process against the individual can proceed.
“Brother ASR’s whereabouts are currently detected abroad, still in Saudi Arabia. The KPK can also coordinate with authorities there,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
The KPK stated that investigators have communicated with Immigration authorities. The KPK is optimistic that Asrul’s presence abroad will not be an obstacle.
“The suspect Brother ASR’s presence abroad does not pose a challenge to this case’s investigation. We believe the suspect will act cooperatively, as there has already been communication between the investigators and the suspect,” Budi said.
The KPK believes Asrul Azis will follow the legal process cooperatively. “When he later enters Indonesian territory, we hope he can follow this case’s investigation process properly,” Budi stated.
In this case, the KPK has previously named Yaqut as a suspect along with former ministerial staff aide Isfan Abidal Aziz (IAA) alias Gus Alex. Yaqut is charged with violating Article 2 paragraph (1) and or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption Law in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code.
The KPK subsequently detained Suspect Yaqut for the first 20 days from 12 to 31 March 2026. The detention is taking place at the KPK’s Red and White Building Branch State Detention Centre. Meanwhile, Alex was detained later by the KPK on 17 March.
In the development of this case, the KPK has named two new suspects from the private sector, namely Ismail Adham and Asrul Azis Taba as the general chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Tour Travel Union (Kesthuri). Both are suspected of playing a role in arranging the distribution and filling of additional Hajj quotas, including providing kickbacks to parties in the Ministry of Religious Affairs.