KPK Summons Gus Alex as Suspect in Hajj Quota Corruption Case After Detaining Yaqut
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has summoned Ishfah Abidal Aziz, also known as Gus Alex (IAA), as a suspect in the hajj quota corruption case, following the detention of former Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas on 12 March 2026.
“Today, Tuesday (17/3), investigators have scheduled an examination of IAA, who served as Special Staff to the Religion Minister during the 2020-2024 period. The summons is issued in his capacity as a suspect,” KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated to journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Budi further explained that Gus Alex’s examination will take place at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta.
“We are confident that IAA will cooperate and respond to today’s summons,” he said.
The KPK initiated an investigation into the alleged hajj quota corruption case on 9 August 2025, concerning Indonesia’s 2023-2024 hajj quota allocations. On 11 August 2025, the KPK announced preliminary calculations showing state losses exceeding Rp1 trillion and placed three individuals under travel restrictions lasting up to six months. These individuals were Yaqut, Ishfah Abidal Aziz (Gus Alex), Yaqut’s staff member, and Fuad Hasan Masyhur, owner of the Maktour hajj operator.
On 9 January 2026, the KPK declared two of the three individuals under travel restrictions as suspects in the alleged hajj quota corruption case: Yaqut and Gus Alex. However, Yaqut filed a pre-trial motion challenging the suspect designation at the South Jakarta District Court on 10 February 2026, registered as 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 extended. On 27 February 2026, the KPK announced that it had received an audit from the Indonesian State Financial Audit Agency (BPK) regarding state financial losses from the hajj quota case. Subsequently, on 4 March 2026, the KPK announced that state losses resulting from the case had reached Rp622 billion.
On 11 March 2026, the judges at the South Jakarta District Court rejected Yaqut’s pre-trial motion. On 12 March 2026, the KPK detained Yaqut at the Detention Centre of the KPK’s Red and White Building.