KPK Uncovers Public Funds Loss in Hajj Quota Corruption, Reaffirms Yaqut Cholil Qoumas's Status as a Suspect

Jakarta — The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has asked the panel of judges of the South Jakarta District Court to reject the pretrial lawsuit filed by former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. The KPK emphasised that the designation of a suspect in the case of suspected corruption in the special Hajj quota for 2023–2024 was based on sufficient evidence and a lawful investigative process. The amount cited forms one of the grounds that the Hajj quota corruption case meets the criteria for handling by the anti-corruption commission. ‘In essence, in the criminal act of corruption at issue there has been a state loss amounting to Rp 622,090,207,166.41,’ said the KPK legal team during the hearing. The alleged corruption related to the Hajj quota falls under Article 11(1)(d) of the KPK Law, which requires a minimum state loss of Rp 1 billion for it to be handled by the anti-corruption agency. Investigators, according to the KPK, have collected more than two valid pieces of evidence. To date, investigators have also taken statements from more than 40 witnesses in the proceeding. ‘The applicant’s designation as a suspect has gone through a series of data collection, information, statements and leads, so the sufficiency of evidence via two pieces of evidence has been met,’ the KPK legal team explained. In addition to witness statements, the KPK also collected expert testimony and examined more than 200 documents seized during the investigation. Investigators also secured electronic evidence, including one mobile phone and various other digital data. The KPK added that as of the reading of the praperadilan response, the investigation into the case is still ongoing to complete the evidentiary process.