Minister of Religious Affairs' Special Staff Admits Receiving US$85,000 from Travel Agency
Ishfah Abidal Azis, also known as Gus Alex, a former Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs for the 2019-2024 period, has admitted to receiving US$85,000 from Nur Faidzin (alias Nanang), an operational staff member of the Pesona Mozaik travel agency. This admission was made during a trial at the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court, which continued until the early hours of Friday (4/9).
The receipt of the funds occurred in two stages. Ishfah stated that the first instalment of US$45,000 was delivered to his residence in Sawangan, Depok, West Java, concealed within a package of dates and delivered by an individual named Muis. From this amount, US$10,000 was allegedly handed over to Rizky Fisa Abadi, the former Head of the Sub-directorate for Licensing, Accreditation, and Development of Special Hajj Organisers at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The second instalment, amounting to US$40,000, was delivered near his home while Ishfah was preparing to attend a social event. During the proceedings, Ishfah testified that the money was delivered in both Rupiah and US Dollars. He noted that Muis, a senior to Ishfah, delivered the package.
The witness, Nanang, stated that the money was provided as a gesture of gratitude because Pesona Mozaik was permitted to manage the special Hajj quota for pilgrims. He clarified that the payment was not requested by Ishfah but was an initiative from the travel agency.
Ishfah further testified that one or two days after receiving the funds, he summoned Rizky Fisa Abadi to his house to hand over the US$10,000 contained in a separate white envelope. While the witness could not confirm the specific meeting, Ishfah maintained that the official received the money with thanks.
Ishfah asserted that he had returned US$75,000 of the total amount to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) escrow account in late 2024, prior to being named a suspect. He clarified that of the total US$85,000 received, US$10,000 was intended for Rizky, leaving him with US$75,000.
In addition to Nanang, the KPK prosecutors presented three witnesses from within the Ministry of Religious Affairs. There are currently four defendants being prosecuted in relation to the alleged corruption of the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota, which reportedly caused state losses of approximately Rp622 billion. The defendants include the former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Ishfah Abidal Azis, the Operational Director of Maktour, Ismail Adham, and the Chairman of the Kesthuri Association, Asrul Azis Taba. According to the investigative audit by the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK), the corruption case is also alleged to have enriched various other parties, including 313 Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK).