Muhadjir Effendy Testifies in Hajj Quota Corruption Trial

Muhadjir Effendy, Special Advisor to the President for Hajj Affairs, testified as a witness in the trial regarding the alleged corruption of the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota on Tuesday (1/9). This examination pertains to Muhadjir’s capacity as the Interim Minister of Religious Affairs in 2022.

“We will first verify your identity. Your full name is Muhadjir Effendy, born in Madiun on 29 July 1956?” asked the presiding judge, Ni Kadek Susantiguanti, at the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday (1/9).

“That is correct, Your Honour,” replied Muhadjir.

In addition to Muhadjir, prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) also summoned four other witnesses. These witnesses are to be examined alongside the defendant, Asrul Azis Taba, who serves as the Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and the General Chairperson of the Kesthuri Association.

Trials for this case are scheduled to be held four times a week. “The trial will be conducted four times a week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. However, on any given day, all four witnesses will be examined simultaneously,” stated the judge.

KPK prosecutors plan to present 303 witnesses in this case, with a verdict scheduled for December.

Four individuals are currently facing legal proceedings regarding the alleged corruption of the additional Hajj quota for the 2023-2024 period, which is estimated to have caused state losses of Rp622,090,207,166.41 (approximately Rp622 billion), according to calculations by the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK).

The defendants include the former Minister of Religious Affairs for the 2019-2024 period, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas; Special Staff to Yaqut and Member of the Supervisory Board of the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH), Ishfah Abidal Azis; Operational Director of Maktour, Ismail Adham; and the General Chairperson of the Kesthuri Association and Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama, Asrul Azis Taba.