The KPK is Ready to Prove that the Hajj Quota During Minister Yaqut's Era was Problematic

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has evidence to support the designation of former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as a suspect in the additional Hajj quota case. The KPK states that there was a flow of funds in the distribution of the additional Hajj quota.

Yaqut did issue a ministerial regulation governing the distribution of the quota, allocating 10,000 for special Hajj and 10,000 for regular Hajj (50 percent: 50 percent). However, according to the Hajj Law, 92 percent of the Hajj quota must be allocated for regular Hajj.

“The discretion exercised deviated from what should have been a maximum of 8 percent for the special Hajj quota, which then increased significantly to 50 percent,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters on Wednesday (February 25, 2026).

The KPK has also inspected Hajj facilities in Saudi Arabia to ensure the availability of locations. According to the KPK’s findings, the locations can still accommodate Hajj pilgrims.

“The facilities are also very proper and good for the implementation of the Hajj pilgrimage, so we think that reason is not appropriate,” said Budi.

Therefore, the KPK states that Yaqut’s discretion was not based on the interests of pilgrims, but rather on financial interests.

“Many witnesses have explained about this, including a number of funds or other assets,” said Budi.

The KPK also claims that many witnesses have provided evidence in the form of money and goods related to the distribution of the Hajj quota. The KPK will reveal this in the pre-trial hearing.

“Seizures have been made by the KPK which are allegedly related to this case,” said Budi.

Previously, former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) ensured that the safety of Hajj pilgrims was his priority in determining the Hajj quota. Yaqut felt that he prioritized the principle of Hifdzun Nafsi, or the protection of the physical and spiritual well-being of humans from danger.

This was said by Yaqut after attending the first hearing of his pre-trial at the South Jakarta District Court (PN Jaksel) on Tuesday (February 24, 2026). The pre-trial was filed by Yaqut to test the validity of his designation as a suspect in the alleged corruption case regarding the distribution of the Hajj quota.

“I would also like to say that the issue that has befallen me is an issue that we all know about, namely the Hajj quota. The only consideration I made when determining the distribution of the quota was Hifdzun Nafsi, to protect the safety of pilgrims,” said Yaqut to reporters on Tuesday (February 24, 2026).