South Jakarta Court Rejects Pretrial Motion of Hajj Quota Corruption Suspect
The South Jakarta District Court has rejected all pretrial motions filed by Asrul Azis Taba, the Chairman of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators (Kesthuri). The ruling confirms that the detention of the suspect in the alleged hajj quota corruption case is lawful.
During the verdict hearing on Monday, sole judge I Ketut Darpawan stated that the detention procedure carried out by investigators had complied with statutory provisions. The judge also dismissed the applicant’s argument that the detention was excessive given his age of 76 years.
‘Regarding the applicant’s reason that he is 76 years old and therefore the detention is considered excessive, the judge does not agree with this,’ Judge I Ketut Darpawan said while reading the verdict at the South Jakarta District Court.
The judge explained that although the Criminal Procedure Code does not specifically regulate the rights of elderly suspects, the principle of protection is still provided throughout the legal process. Based on the facts of the trial, no evidence was found that Asrul experienced physical or psychological difficulties while in detention.
Responding to the ruling, Asrul Azis Taba’s legal counsel, Rhama Rizki Vianto, stated that he respects the court’s decision. However, his team will immediately coordinate with other legal advisors to determine the next legal steps.
Asrul Azis Taba was named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in a case of alleged corruption in the management of additional hajj quotas for the 2023-2024 period. He is suspected of providing 406,000 US dollars to certain parties to obtain benefits from managing the hajj quotas.
The KPK suspects that eight Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK) affiliated with Asrul obtained unlawful profits amounting to Rp40.8 billion in 2024. Investigators are currently continuing to probe the practice of buying and selling additional hajj quotas through the examination of several travel agencies.
For his actions, Asrul has been charged under Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.