Latest Facts in Hajj Quota Corruption Case Following Two New Suspects
The case of alleged corruption in determining the Hajj quota by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) during the era of Indonesia’s 7th President Joko Widodo for 2023-2024 continues to be investigated. Most recently, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has again designated two individuals as suspects.
The two new suspects are from the private sector, namely the Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), Ismail Adham (ISM), and the General Chairman of Asosiasi Kesthuri, who is also a Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama, Asrul Azis Taba (ASR).
Previously, in this case, the KPK had designated former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) and his former special staff member, Ishfah Abidal Aziz (IAA) alias Gus Alex, as suspects. Here, CNNIndonesia.com summarises the latest facts from the Hajj corruption case:
Reasons why Maktour Director and Kesthuri Chairman became suspects
KPK Enforcement and Execution Deputy Asep Guntur Rahayu explained the active roles of the two new suspects, Ismail and Asrul.
Both are alleged to have had crucial roles in the process of determining the distribution and filling of additional Hajj quotas, as well as providing kickbacks to Yaqut as Minister of Religious Affairs at the time through Gus Alex, who was his special staff.
According to the KPK, Ismail and Asrul, together with the owner of Maktour Travel, Fuad Hasan Masyhur (FHM), as the Advisory Board of the Silaturahmi Forum of Hajj and Umrah Travel Associations (SATHU), along with others, met with Yaqut and Gus Alex.
Their meeting was to request an increase in the special Hajj quota exceeding the 8 percent limit as stipulated in the legislation. In reality, Yaqut then set the special Hajj and regular Hajj quotas at 50 percent each.
Subsequently, the two suspects, together with parties from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, arranged the filling of the additional special Hajj quota for companies affiliated with Maktour, thereby obtaining additional special Hajj quotas. This included Hajj quotas under the expedited departure scheme (T0).
In his presentation, Asep revealed that both provided sums of money to several parties in Kemenag.
Dirjen Hilman Latief and Gus Alex allegedly received money
Ismail is alleged to have given a sum of money to Gus Alex amounting to US$30,000, and also to the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organisers (PHU) of Kemenag at the time, Hilman Latief, amounting to US$5,000 and SAR16,000.
Meanwhile, suspect Asrul is alleged to have given a sum of money to Gus Alex amounting to US$406,000.
Hajj travel companies gain hundreds of billions
Following the provision of money from the two suspects to determine the Hajj quota scheme, the KPK revealed there were illegal gains of tens of billions of rupiah obtained by private parties.
PT Maktour is alleged to have obtained illegal gains of around Rp27.8 billion in 2024. Meanwhile, eight Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK) affiliated with suspect Asrul also obtained illegal gains in 2024 totalling Rp40.8 billion.
Two clusters of suspects
The KPK stated that the suspects in the alleged Hajj quota corruption case are divided into two clusters.
The first cluster relates to the process of determining additional Hajj quotas that do not comply with Article 64 of Law No. 8 of 2019 on Hajj and Umrah Worship.
Namely, the article regulating the distribution of additional Hajj quotas must be 92 percent for regular Hajj and 8 percent for special Hajj. However, the additional Hajj quota was instead divided 50 percent and 50 percent.
The second cluster relates to alleged fund flows resulting from the 50-50 discretion, including to officials in the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Charged with state losses, not bribery
Although alleged to have given money to Kemenag officials, the two new suspects Ismail and Asrul are not charged with bribery.
Instead, they are charged with violating Article 2 paragraph (1) and or Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law (UU Tipikor) juncto Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code or as meant in Article 603 or Article 604 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code juncto Article 20 letter (c) of the Criminal Code Law. This relates to state financial losses.
Asep explained that the use of the state loss article is more appropriate because it focuses more on asset recovery.
Based on calculations by auditors from the Financial Audit Board (BPK) of Indonesia, the alleged corruption case is indeed said to have caused state financial losses in a large amount, namely Rp622 billion.
Yaqut’s detention extended by 40 days
As a result of investigators still needing time to complete the case file, the KPK has extended Yaqut’s detention period by 40 days ahead.
In the ongoing process, investigators will continue to seek statements from several witnesses and carry out other coercive measures such as searches and seizures of evidence.
Kesthuri Chairman is in Saudi Arabia
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo revealed that one of the suspects in the Hajj quota corruption case, Asrul Azis Taba, is currently abroad, specifically in Saudi Arabia. Budi said that they have confirmation from the Immigration Office and there is already communication with Asrul.
“Therefore, on this occasion, we also urge suspect ASR to return to the homeland soon so that if needed for examination by investigators in his capacity as a suspect, he can fulfil the summons,” said Budi.