Prosecutors Present Seized Stacks of Dollars in Hajj Quota Corruption Case

Prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) presented photographic evidence of seized stacks of United States Dollars (USD) and Indonesian Rupiah during the trial regarding the alleged corruption of the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota. The funds seized by the KPK are suspected to be linked to fees paid to accelerate Hajj departures.

The trial was held at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday (29/09/2026). The defendants include: former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, former special staff to Yaqut named Ishfah Abidal Azis (alias Gus Alex), the Chairman of the Kesthuri Association Asrul Azis Taba, and the Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) Ismail Adham.

Prosecutors stated that the evidence included USD 100 bills totalling USD 4,000 (approximately IDR 72.2 million) and proof of a money transfer amounting to IDR 17,500,000. This evidence was presented to the witness, Muhammad Ivan Soerimentata, a former Junior Expert Policy Analyst at the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Organising, Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Prosecutors also presented evidence consisting of 9,599 pieces of USD 100 bills, valued at USD 959,900 (approximately IDR 17.3 billion), IDR 50 million in cash, and 401 pieces of USD 100 bills, valued at USD 40,100 (approximately IDR 723 million). This evidence was presented to the witness, Zainal Abidin.

“Is there a connection with Gus Alex?” asked KPK prosecutor Greafik Loserte.

“There is,” replied Zainal.

In this case, former Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is accused of causing state financial losses amounting to IDR 622,090,207,166.41 (622 billion) regarding the alleged corruption of the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota. Prosecutors stated that these actions were carried out by Yaqut in conjunction with the Chairman of the Kesthuri Association Asrul Azis Taba, former special staff Ishfah Abidal Azis, and the Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) Ismail Adham.

Prosecutors stated that the allocation of the additional special Hajj quota for 2023-2024 by the defendants violated applicable legal provisions, with the aim of accommodating requests from the Association of Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK). Prosecutors believe this case enriched Yaqut by USD 271,500, which, when converted at current rates, is approximately IDR 4,833,786,000 (4.8 billion).

Furthermore, prosecutors believe the case enriched several other parties, including 313 special Hajj organiser (PIHK) corporations. Prosecutors stated that the case involved the buying and selling of special Hajj quotas, the buying and selling of Hajj official quotas, and acceleration fees, resulting in some pilgrims who were entitled to depart being unable to do so, while others who were not entitled were permitted to depart.