Reasons KPK Charges Two Private Suspects in Hajj Quota Case Using State Loss Article

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has designated two private individuals, Ismail Adham (ISM), Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), and Asrul Azis Taba (ASR), Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and Chairman of the Kesthuri Association, as new suspects in the 2023-2024 Hajj quota corruption case. KPK has explained the reasons for charging both with provisions on state losses.

KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu, during a press conference at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Monday (30/3/2026), initially explained the roles of both, which have been proven to have participated in arranging the distribution of the 2023-2024 Hajj quotas in a manner not in accordance with the law.

Asep also stated that both provided ‘rewards’ money to Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ), the former Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag), through his then-special staff, Isfah Abidal Azis (IAA) or Gus Alex. Asep explained that the money was given by the two suspects because their path had been smoothed to obtain additional special Hajj quotas.

Asep clarified that the application of Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of Law No. 31 of 1999 as amended by Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption is based on actions that benefit others. In this case, said Asep, the two suspects from the private sector have shared profits with Yaqut as a state official at the time of this case.

“That the giving of a certain amount of money, as mentioned in Article 2, Article 3, includes the element of benefiting oneself, others, or a corporation. Although not cumulative, alternatively, but certainly what we convey here is to prove that the element of benefiting oneself is indeed present,” Asep stated.

At the same time, said Asep, the application of this article is also to address the narrative circulating in society that there was no benefit received by Yaqut as Menag at that time. Asep explained that through these two suspects, KPK has proven that money was given to Yaqut through his then-special staff, Gus Alex.

“So the polemic that has always been echoed that he did not enjoy, and so on, never received, well, here there is someone giving a certain amount of money to his representative,” Asep clarified.

Previously, Asep revealed that both Ismail and Asrul have been proven to have given money to Yaqut as the former Menag. The money was given through an intermediary, namely Yaqut’s former special staff, Gus Alex.

Asep said Ismail gave money to Gus Alex amounting to 30,000 US dollars. Ismail also, said Asep, handed over money to the Director General of PHU of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in 2024, Hilman Latief (HL), amounting to 5,000 US dollars.

“Suspect ISM is alleged to have given a certain amount of money to IAA amounting to 30,000 USD, as well as to Mr HL as Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organisers of the Directorate General of PHU of the Ministry of Religious Affairs amounting to 5,000 USD and 16,000 SAR,” said Asep.

Asep stated that from the money given by Ismail to Gus Alex and Director General PHU of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Hilman Latif, it enabled Maktour to obtain unlawful or illegal gains. That year, said Asep, the illegal profit obtained by Maktour reached Rp27.8 billion.

“For their actions, PT Makassar Toraja Maktour obtained unlawful or illegal gains in 2024 amounting to around Rp27.8 billion, this is the result of the state financial loss calculation carried out by auditors,” Asep stated.

Meanwhile, suspect Asrul was said by Asep to have also given a certain amount of money to Gus Alex amounting to 406,000 US dollars from the additional quota given. Asep said that from the additional quota provided, it benefited eight special Hajj worship organisers (PIHK).

“Whereas suspect ISR is alleged to have given a certain amount of money to Mr IAA amounting to 406,000 USD. From that giving, eight special Hajj organisers PHK affiliated with suspect ISR also obtained unlawful gains in 2024 totalling Rp40.8 billion, this is also the result of calculations from auditors,” Asep explained.

He mentioned that Gus Alex and Hilman served as representations of Yaqut when receiving money from Ismail and Asrul. Because, he said, Yaqut had appointed both to handle matters from the PIHKs.

“The receipt of a certain amount of money by IAA and HL from the suspects is alleged as representation from Mr YCQ as the Minister of Religious Affairs at that time, because colleagues need to know that Mr IAA is special staff and on several occasions Mr YCQ always stated that if there are matters, directly to Mr IAA,” he added.