Prosecutors Reveal Yaqut's Letter to Saudi Minister Regarding 50:50 Additional Hajj Quota Split
Prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) have revealed a letter sent by former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Prosecutors stated that the letter explicitly outlined a distribution scheme for an additional quota of 20,000 pilgrims.
This was disclosed by prosecutors during questioning and confirmation of Slamet, a Middle Expert Planner at the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the 2021-2024 period, at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday (9/10/2026) evening. Slamet appeared as a witness in the case involving alleged corruption regarding the additional Hajj quota for 2023-2024.
“This is Religious Affairs Minister’s letter number B-494, dated 27 December 2023. We want to link your testimony to this. The Minister personally signed this letter, which was addressed to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. What is interesting is that through this letter, the Minister’s quota already included both the base quota and the additional quota. 221,000 plus 20,000 totals 241,000. Is that correct?” asked the prosecutor.
“Furthermore, we are linking this to your earlier testimony that, according to regulation 92/8, this is a statutory mandate, correct?” the prosecutor continued.
“Yes,” replied Slamet.
Prosecutors argue that the additional 20,000 quota, split 50% for special Hajj and 50% for regular Hajj, was already stipulated in the letter. They contend that Yaqut’s intention during Zoom meetings regarding the 50:50 additional quota policy was consistent with the contents of this letter.
“Based on these figures, the 10,000:10,000 split has been added to the Minister’s letter. From the 221,000, 92% is 203,320 and 8% is 17,680. If we add 10,000 to each, it becomes 213,000 for the 92% portion and 27,680 for the 8% portion. These figures are exact. Do you understand my point?” asked the prosecutor.
“I understand, Sir,” replied Slamet.
“Do you understand the connection between the Zoom meeting and the fact that the Minister’s desire for a 50:50 split is in line with this letter?” asked the prosecutor.
“Yes. From what I gathered, yes. If I may, after the Minister’s visit there, it was followed up by technical units, so the quota was set. The normal quota was initially established at 203,320 and 17,680. With the addition, it was divided 50:50, 10,000:10,000, resulting in 213,320 and 27,680,” Slamet answered.
“Our analysis suggests this letter was intended to request the breakdown of the quota distribution to be used in the MoU and to be reflected in the e-Hajj system. Because, as far as I know, this quota arrived as a single lump sum of 241,000,” Slamet continued.
Prosecutors then re-confirmed with Slamet whether this letter served as the basis for signing the MoU with Saudi Arabia regarding the 50% split for special and regular Hajj quotas from the 20,000 additional pilgrims in 2024. Slamet confirmed this.
“So, you are saying the e-Hajj 221,000 was split by an additional 10,000:10,000 quota, correct?” asked the prosecutor.
“Yes,” replied Slamet.
“And the content of the MoU, which divides the additional quota 50%:50%, or 10,000:10,000, is based on this? Is that what you are saying?” asked the prosecutor.
“Yes,” replied Slamet.
In this case, former Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is accused of causing state financial losses amounting to Rp 622,090,071,66.41 (approximately 622 billion Rupiah) in the alleged corruption case regarding the additional Hajj quota for 2023-2024. Prosecutors claim that Yaqut acted in concert with the Chairman of the Kesthuri Association, Asrul Azis Taba, a former special staffer to Yaqut named Ishfah Abidal Azis (alias Gus Alex), and the Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), Ismail Adham.