KPK to Begin Marathon Examinations of Hajj Travel Bureaus Next Week

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will conduct marathon examinations of Special Hajj Service Providers (PIHK) starting next week in relation to the 2023-2024 Hajj quota corruption case. KPK investigators will visit the locations of these PIHK entities.

“Next week, investigators will also begin marathon examinations of several witnesses, including the PIHK, with examinations taking place in Jakarta or at the KPK Merah Putih building, as well as in other regions depending on the locations of the PIHK or travel bureaus,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters on Thursday (2/4/2026).

Examinations at the PIHK locations are expected to make evidence collection in this case more effective. KPK also urges summoned parties to be cooperative.

“By conducting examinations in the regions, it is hoped that they can be carried out directly and effectively, as examinations of the relevant parties are indeed needed,” he explained.

Furthermore, Budi added that in this case, KPK has extended the detention period for Ishfah Abidal Azis or Gus Alex. The extension of the detention period is intended to facilitate obtaining statements.

“Today, investigators carried out the first extension of detention for suspect IAA for the next 40 days, following the initial 20-day detention yesterday,” he stated.

In this case, KPK recently designated two new suspects: Ismail Adham (ISM), Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), and Asrul Azis Taba (ASR), Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and Chairman of Asosiasi Kesthuri. KPK suspects that Ismail and Asrul gave money to Yaqut, the former Minister of Religious Affairs. The money was given through an intermediary, namely former special staff to Yaqut, Gus Alex.

Asep stated that Ismail is suspected of giving USD 30,000 to Gus Alex. Ismail also, according to Asep, handed over USD 5,000 to Hilman Latief (HL), the former Director General of PHU at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in 2024.

Now, the total number of suspects in this case is four. The other two suspects are former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and his former special staff, Ishfah Abidal Azis or Gus Alex.