What is the Sathu Forum Being Investigated by the KPK in the Hajj Quota Corruption Case?
JAKARTA - The KPK has conducted marathon examinations of hajj travel agency bosses to investigate the Sathu Forum in connection with the hajj quota corruption case. What is the Sathu Forum?
The Sathu Forum is the Forum for Silaturahmi of Hajj and Umrah Travel Associations.
According to an article on the website of the Indonesian Muslim Hajj and Umrah Organisers Association (Amphuri) dated 18 January 2021, the Sathu Forum is a coalition of hajj and umrah organiser associations, including Amphuri, the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Travel Union (Kesthuri), the Indonesian Hajj Umrah and Inbound Organisers Association (Asphurindo), and the Nusantara Hajj Umrah Entrepreneurs Association (Gaphura).
The Sathu Forum consists of hajj travel bosses and is said by the KPK to have been the venue for conveying orders from former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to distribute hajj quotas improperly.
This decision by the Minister of Religious Affairs contradicts Article 64 paragraph 2 of Law No. 8 of 2019 on the Organisation of Hajj and Umrah Worship, which regulates the distribution of additional hajj quotas as 92% for regular hajj and 8% for special hajj.
As is known, Yaqut has now been named a suspect for violating Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption, as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001, as well as Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the old Criminal Code (KUHP).
On 30 March 2026, the KPK named two new suspects: Operational Director of Maktour Ismail Adham and General Chairman of the Indonesian Hajj Umrah Tour Travel Union (Kesthuri) Asrul Aziz Taba.
The KPK continues to investigate the Sathu Forum. The KPK has summoned the Director of PT Zahra Oto Mandiri (Uhud Tour) Khalid Zeed Abdullah Basalamah and other hajj travel bosses.
“It is true, the examination relates to the Sathu Forum and discussions regarding additional hajj quotas for 2023-2024,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in Jakarta, regarding the examination of Khalid on Thursday (23/4/2026).
Khalid admitted to returning Rp 8.4 billion to the KPK, which was given by PT Muhibbah Mulia Wisata, another hajj travel agency.
“So, PT Muhibbah returned the funds to us, we didn’t know what the money was for. The amount was around Rp 8.4 billion, right. Yes, it was returned,” said Khalid, after being examined as a witness in the case at the Red and White Building.
Khalid stated that Uhud Tour at that time only provided services in the form of furoda hajj (hajj based on special invitation visas from Saudi Arabia), then PT Muhibbah offered special hajj quotas. Khalid claimed his side was the victim.
KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said that there are still several PIHK (Hajj Organising Travel Agencies) that have not returned money related to the hajj quota case. Therefore, said Budi, summonses to travel agencies are still ongoing.
“Investigators will certainly schedule examinations for other associations or PIHK that have not yet been examined or have made returns,” Budi stated.
The four witnesses are Syarif Thalib as Operational Director of PT Marco Tour & Travel; Asep Inwanudin as Director of PT Medina Mitra Wisata; Ibnu Mas’ud as Commissioner of PT Muhibbah Mulia Wisata; and Mahmud Muchtar Syarif as President Director of PT Almuchtar Tour and Travel.