KPK Traces Bribery Fund Flows and Calculates Total Bribes Received by Yaqut Cholil Qoumas
The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) is conducting a detailed investigation into the precise nominal value of bribery funds that ensnared former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ). The anti-corruption agency is committed to performing meticulous calculations regarding the total bribes received by suspects in the hajj quota allocation and distribution scandal at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
“The amount of bribes received by YCQ is currently being calculated rigorously, we will await the results,” stated KPK’s Deputy for Prosecution and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu at the KPK Red and White Building in South Jakarta on Friday (13 March).
KPK investigators believe the bribery funds were channelled to Yaqut through the former Special Staff to the Religious Affairs Minister, Isfan Abidal Aziz (IAA), also known as Gus Alex (GA). Based on preliminary investigations, the money obtained through corruption is suspected to have been used to meet various personal needs of Yaqut, including indications of attempts to bribe a Special Committee of the House of Representatives.
In addition to Yaqut, Gus Alex has also been named as a suspect for receiving bribes. The KPK is currently calculating the total illicit gains obtained by the former minister’s subordinate.
“We are also calculating how much GA received,” Asep added.
Detention and Case Construction
Currently, the KPK has detained Yaqut Cholil Qoumas for an initial detention period of 20 days. This detention can be extended for the purposes of further investigation until the case file is ready to be submitted to trial.
The case originated from findings of irregularities in the allocation of an additional 20,000 hajj quotas granted to Indonesia. According to regulations, the additional quota should have been allocated in the following proportions. However, in practice, officials at the Ministry of Religious Affairs allegedly distributed the quota equally at 50% each. This policy was deemed to violate regulations and harmed regular hajj pilgrims who had been waiting for years in the queue.
Witness Examination
In developing this case, the KPK has summoned several officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and private parties from umrah travel service providers. One figure who has been called to testify as a witness is Ustaz Khalid Basalamah.
The KPK affirmed that it would bring this matter to completion in court to provide legal certainty and justice for prospective hajj pilgrims. The modus operandi carried out by the suspects allowed prospective pilgrims who had just registered to depart directly by paying a certain amount of money.
The summons of suspects is a mandatory procedure before the case is submitted to trial. The alleged bribery originated from the policy of allocating an additional 20,000 hajj quotas, which was deemed to violate regulations and caused state losses of Rp622 billion.
The KPK uncovered the role of Fuad Hasan Masyhur, owner of Maktour, in the 2023 hajj quota scandal, allegedly corresponding with former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut to obtain additional quotas that caused state losses of Rp622 billion.