'Shadowless Kick' Revealed in Hajj Corruption Case
The term ‘shadowless kick’ has emerged in the Hajj quota case involving former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and others. This term refers to pilgrims who are able to depart for Hajj without joining the official queue.
This was stated by the former Director General of Hajj at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Hilman Latief, during a hearing at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday (24/09/2026). In this trial, Hilman appeared as a witness for the defendants, including Yaqut.
Initially, the KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) prosecutors played a Zoom recording attended by Hilman. The contents of the meeting confirmed findings by the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK) regarding the high number of ‘T-0’ pilgrims—those who do not have to wait for years in the queue.
“You previously expressed shock at the large number of T-0 pilgrims. At that time, we played the Zoom recording. Regarding your mention of BPK findings related to T-0, where we noted the phrase ‘shadowless kick’ technique, do you remember making such a statement?” asked the KPK prosecutor during the trial.
“Yes,” replied Hilman.
The KPK prosecutor then questioned the conclusion of the BPK findings. Hilman explained that the BPK discovered various issues regarding Hajj governance and procedures.
“The BPK findings were numerous, ranging from moderate to potentially serious issues. Some related to governance, others to procedures, and so on,” said Hilman.
Through coordination with the BPK, Hilman expressed hope that pilgrims would no longer have to wait excessively long or rely on ‘shadowless kicks.’
“Regarding the quota, because the number of departing pilgrims is large, we hope for a ‘shadowless kick.’ That is my term, meaning we must ensure this [long queue] does not happen again,” said Hilman.
The KPK prosecutor then pressed whether the term ‘shadowless kick’ was intended to refer to the issue of pilgrims departing without waiting for years during Hajj implementation. Hilman confirmed that the BPK audit pertained to T-0 pilgrims.
He also explained that this referred to BPK findings from 2023. “Which year were the BPK findings from?” asked the KPK prosecutor.
“2023,” answered Hilman.
“So in 2023, there were indeed T-0 pilgrims?” the prosecutor asked again.
“There were,” replied Hilman.
It is known that the former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, is one of the defendants in the alleged corruption case regarding the 2023-2024 Indonesian Hajj quota. In this case, he is accused of causing state financial losses amounting to Rp622.09 billion.
The alleged actions were committed alongside his former special staff, Ishfah Abidal Aziz (alias Gus Alex), the Operational Director of Maktour, Ismail Adham, and the former General Chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Tour Travel Union, Asrul Aziz Taba.
Several parties were allegedly enriched in this case, including Yaqut, to the amount of 271,500 US dollars, or approximately Rp4.83 billion.
For his actions, Yaqut is charged with violating Article 603 juncto Article 20 letter c of the National Criminal Code, or Article 3 juncto Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes. However, at this stage, Fuad Hasan remains only a witness.