Maktour CEO Abroad, Absent from KPK Investigation

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) President Director Fuad Hasan Masyhur is currently abroad and therefore unable to attend today’s scheduled examination. Fuad was slated to be questioned as a witness in the alleged corruption case concerning additional hajj quotas for the 2023-2024 period. “For today’s examination schedule, witness FHM [Fuad Hasan Masyhur] confirmed he could not attend because he is not in the country,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in a written statement on Wednesday (1/7). “The examination was needed to complete the investigation files for the four suspects in this case,” he continued. The KPK also summoned five other witnesses today: PT Thayiba Tora Director Artha Hanif, PT Madani Prabu Jaya Director Hud Rifki Assegaf, PT Al Haramain Jaya Wisata President Director Ali Makki, Maktour employee Ulfaiza, and PSTH2 from the Hajj Affairs Office of KJRI Jeddah for 2021-2024, M Lutfi Makki. There was no immediate information regarding the attendance of these witnesses. The examination aims to complete the case files for four suspects: former Religious Affairs Minister for 2019-2024 Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, his Special Staff Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, Maktour Operational Director Ismail Adham, and Kesthuri Association Chairman who is also PT Raudah Eksati Utama Commissioner Asrul Azis Taba, who was arrested on 8 June. The KPK stated it will transfer the suspects’ case files to the Corruption Court simultaneously. During the ongoing investigation, the KPK has identified more than 300 travel agencies involved in the additional hajj quota scheme, with some agencies hesitant to provide information regarding the quota trading practices. The KPK is applying Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code, relating to state financial losses. According to calculations by the Supreme Audit Agency’s (BPK) auditor team, the alleged corruption in the additional hajj quotas for 2023-2024 is suspected to have caused state losses amounting to Rp622 billion.