Muhadjir Reveals Hajj Quota Reallocation Letter Was Requested by Maktour Boss

Muhadjior Effendy, Special Advisor to the President for Hajj, revealed that the letter addressed to the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the reallocation of additional regular Hajj quotas to special Hajj quotas was a verbal request from the President Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), Fuad Hasan Masyhur.

Fuad Hasan also serves as a Supervisory Board member of the Forum Silaturahmi Asosiasi Travel Haji dan Umrah (SATHU).

This was stated by Muhadjir when called as a witness by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors for the defendant, Asrul Azis Taba—a Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and Chairman of the Kesthuri Association—at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday (1/9). Muhadjir was summoned due to his previous role as the interim Minister of Religious Affairs.

“We will ask one specific question, Sir. Did you ever sign a letter on behalf of the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Number: B-206, dated 4 July 2022, which was then addressed to the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on behalf of Sheikh Essam bin Abed Al-Thaqafi?” asked the prosecutor.

“That is correct,” replied Muhadjir.

“Alright. Can you explain what this letter pertains to?” the prosecutor continued.

“It pertains to the reallocation of additional quotas that were originally for regular Hajj, which were then reallocated to special Hajj,” Muhadjir explained.

“The content states ‘We appreciate and so on, becoming a pride and so on’. What is the actual substance of this letter, Sir? Was this letter issued at the request of someone? That is the first question. Just answer, Sir. Was this letter issued at the request of someone?” the prosecutor asked again.

“Yes,” said Muhadjir.

“Okay. Was this letter issued for the business interests of an individual?” asked the prosecutor.

“An association,” he added.

“Was this letter issued for the business interests of someone?” the prosecutor asked again.

“No,” replied Muhadjir.

“Was this letter issued for the business interests of an association?” added the prosecutor.

“No,” said Muhadjir.

“Was this letter issued for the business interests of an entrepreneur working for special Hajj?” the prosecutor asked more specifically.

“No,” admitted Muhadjir.

“Do you know Fuad Hasan Masyhur? Do you know him?” the prosecutor probed further.

“I do,” said Muhadjorkan.

“Was this letter at the request of the person concerned?” the prosecutor pressed.

“Yes, verbally, yes,” said Muhadjir.

Prosecutors continued to question Muhadjir regarding Fuad Hasan’s dealings with him that led to the issuance of the letter to the Saudi Arabian representative.

“What is the business of Fuad? Who is this Fuad? How could he influence an Interim Minister to send a letter to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?” the prosecutor asked.

“I do not know, because they came on behalf of the association, and he was the one speaking,” said Muhadjir.

Muhadjir stated that he had been met by Fuad and more than seven others at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture. In that meeting, only Fuad, representing the SATHU association, spoke.

“Alright, Sir. We asked earlier, this letter was issued at the request of someone, correct?” the prosecutor confirmed, which Muhadjir admitted.

“Was that interest in the name of Fuad Hasan Masyhur?” the prosecutor continued.

“I do not think so,” said Muhadjir.

The prosecutor then read Muhadjir’s Examination Report (BAP) number 6. The report contained details regarding an additional special Hajj quota of 10,000 in 2022 and the SATHU association’s initiative to reallocate it to Mujamalah Hajj.

In the same report, Fuad was mentioned as requesting Muhadjir to draft a letter to the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Indonesia, with SATHU handling visas, passports, and other logistics. Upon Fuad’s request, Muhadjir consulted with President Joko Widodo, who approved the issuance of the letter.

“However, after I issued that letter, I received information that the request to use the additional Hajj quota for Mujamalah visas or invitations was rejected by the Saudi Arabian government. This was conveyed verbally by the then-Secretary General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Muhammad Aqil Irham. As I recall, after that, Fuad Hasan Masyhur met me and informed me that the request via the letter was rejected by the Saudi Arabian Government. Is that correct, Sir?” the prosecutor confirmed the BAP.

“That is correct,” said Muhadjir.

The prosecutor further questioned Muhadjir’s relationship with Fuad. “We want to confirm in much greater detail. What is your relationship with Fuad Hasan Masyhur, such that this person could seemingly influence, intervene, or desire someone like you to send a letter using the Garuda emblem?” the prosecutor asked.

“There is no relationship whatsoever,” replied Muhadjir.

“But, Sir, Fuad Hasan Masyhur is the one who met you,” the prosecutor noted.

“Yes, but I did not see him as an individual, but as part of an association,” said Muhadjir, who served as the Interim Minister of Religious Affairs for 20 days in 2022.

“Okay, Sir. Have you ever received money from Mr. Fuad Hasan Masyhur or not?” the prosecutor pressed.

“Previously, no,” said Muhadjir.

“Now, have you?” the prosecutor continued.

“Now we know each other, yes,” replied Muhadjir.

“Have you ever received money from the person concerned? Money?” the prosecutor insisted.

“There was none,” said Muhadjir.

“Have you ever received facilities from Fuad Hasan Masyhur?” the prosecutor asked.

“No,” he added.

“Have you or your family ever received free Umrah from Fuad Hasan Masyhur?” the prosecutor asked.

“There was none,” revealed Muhadjir.

“Now, the final question, Sir, before we continue with my colleague, why was this letter issued at Fuad’s request, Sir?” the prosecutor asked, still curious.

“I do not know, because at that time, it was clear that the quota could not be used, or the Ministry could not use it. The association…”