KPK to Marathon Examine Hajj Travel Bureaus in Yaqut Case This Week

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has scheduled marathon examinations of witnesses from Hajj Special Pilgrimage Organisers (PIHK) for this week. These examinations are intended to complete the case file for the four suspects in the alleged corruption case involving the 2023-2024 Hajj quota. “In this case, investigators will begin a marathon of examinations next week against several witnesses, including the PIHK, with examinations conducted in Jakarta or at the KPK Merah Putih Building and also in several other regions, depending on the locations of the PIHK or travel bureaus,” stated KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in a written confirmation on Sunday (5/4). The KPK has requested that the summoned witnesses cooperate by attending the examinations. He added that investigators have also extended the detention period for suspect former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and his special staff Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex by 40 days. In addition to Yaqut and Ishfah, who are already detained, the KPK announced two new suspects on Monday (30/3). They 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. The KPK is applying Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law (UU Tipikor) in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code or as referred to in Article 603 or Article 604 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 20 letter (c) of the Criminal Code Law. These articles pertain to losses to state finances. Based on calculations by the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK) team, the alleged corruption in the 2023-2024 Hajj quota is estimated to have caused state financial losses of Rp622 billion.