Shocked by KPK Findings, Marwan Dasopang: We Focused on Uncovering Data in Saudi Arabia
The hajj quota case is estimated to have caused state losses of IDR 622 billion.
The head of Commission VIII of the Indonesian Parliament and former member of the Special Committee (Pansus) on the 2024 Hajj, Marwan Dasopang, expressed shock upon learning of findings by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Previously, the KPK discovered allegations of attempted bribery worth USD 1 million, or approximately IDR 17 billion, directed at the Hajj Special Committee.
The alleged bribery attempt was purportedly initiated by former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ), with the aim of halting investigations into irregularities in the distribution of additional hajj quotas. Marwan asserted that he had never been aware of any attempt to provide “facilitation money” during the Special Committee’s period of operation.
“I did not know. I was actively involved in the Pansus, and I was shocked as well because I was unaware of this. I did not understand it because I continued to carry out my duties in the Pansus,” Marwan said at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (13 March).
This politician from the National Awakening Party (PKB) added that during the investigative process, the Pansus team worked with great seriousness, even travelling to Saudi Arabia to obtain valid data regarding the distribution of hajj quotas. “In fact, given how serious we were in Mecca, it was not easy to obtain those documents. From those documents came the conclusions that were submitted to law enforcement officials,” he added.
Regarding the substance of the Pansus findings concerning the distribution of additional hajj quotas under a controversial 50:50 scheme, Marwan stated that this was already part of the final report. He affirmed that the scheme constituted a clear violation of regulations that should have allocated 92 percent for regular hajj and 8 percent for special hajj.
Previously, the KPK revealed that Yaqut Cholil Qoumas allegedly attempted to “condition” the Hajj Special Committee through an intermediary by preparing funds of USD 1 million sourced from fees from special hajj travel agencies. However, the KPK appreciated the integrity of the parliamentary members, as the bribery attempt was outright rejected.
Currently, Yaqut has been designated as a suspect and is being detained by the KPK for further investigation regarding state losses estimated at IDR 622 billion in the hajj quota corruption case.