KPK to Submit Yaqut's Corruption Case to Court After Hajj Process Ends

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will submit the case involving allegations of additional Hajj quota corruption against suspect Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, who served as Minister of Religious Affairs from 2019 to 2024, to court only after this year’s Hajj pilgrimage concludes.

Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, explained the delay is due to numerous witnesses who are Indonesian Hajj service staff currently in Saudi Arabia.

Asep made the statement when questioned about the timeline for submitting the case file to the Corruption Crimes Court (Tipikor) for trial.

“Regarding the submission, this is also linked to the execution of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. We have coordinated with the Ministry of Hajj regarding the Hajj operations as there are many witnesses who are Hajj service staff who will testify in court,” Asep said after attending the Pancasila Birth Anniversary ceremony at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Monday, June 1.

The two-star general added that investigators are considering the current situation.

“Now, although the Hajj process has concluded, some pilgrims are still in Saudi Arabia and have not all returned to Indonesia,” Asep said.

“We have discussed that once the Hajj pilgrimage is fully completed and all pilgrims have returned, Insha’Allah we will promptly submit the case and proceed with the trial,” he added.

The KPK has identified four suspects in the alleged 2023-2024 Hajj quota corruption case: Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, his special staff Ishfah Abidal Aziz (alias Gus Alex), PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) operational director Ismail Adham, and Asrul Azis Taba, chairman of the Kesthuri Association and commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama.

Currently, only Yaqut and Ishfah are in custody during the investigation.

Asep stated the other two suspects will be detained within the next week or two.

The KPK is proceeding under state loss provisions in this case. According to the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK), the state is alleged to have suffered a loss of Rp622 billion.