Witness: Hajj Organiser Fees Returned Following Controversy Over Parliamentary Special Committee
Ahmad Taufik, a former staff member of the Sub-Division for Research at the Association of Special Umrah and Hajj Organisers (Himpuh), testified that a commitment fee of US$4,000 per pilgrim was returned following the widespread news regarding the formation of the House of Representatives (DPR) Hajj Special Committee in 2024.
Taufik provided this testimony while appearing as a witness for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors in the trial concerning alleged corruption in the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota at the Jakarta Central District Corruption Court on Thursday (1/10).
Initially, the prosecutor read Taufik’s interrogation report (BAP) regarding a request from the former Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, namely Ishfah Abidal Azis (alias Gus Alex), for the money to be returned to Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK) after the Hajj Special Committee became a public issue.
According to the BAP, Taufint returned the commitment fees, which had previously been collected by Himpuh, following Ishfah’s instructions, after deducting US$500 for operational costs.
“Therefore, we request permission from the Chairperson to read this so the records are accurate. Around July 2024, following the controversy surrounding the DPR RI Hajj Special Committee, Gus Alex, through Agus Syafii (former Deputy Director of Licensing, Accreditation, and Development of Special Hajj Organisers for the 2023-2024 period), requested that the collected funds be returned to each PIHK. Subsequently, I returned the money to the PIHK as follows,” the prosecutor stated during the trial.
“For PIHKs located in the Greater Jakarta area, I delivered them directly; for PIHKs outside Greater Jakarta, I provided them during the 2024 Hajj evaluation at the Grand Mercure Hotel, Sleman, Yogyakarta. However, the returned money had been deducted by US$500 for the operational costs I previously explained. Is this correct?” the prosecutor asked.
“That is correct,” Taufik replied.
Taufik explained that Ishfah had also previously borrowed US$100,000 from Budi Darmawan, the Chairman of the Himpuh Association. Although the money had been repaid by Ishfah, Taufik claimed to have heard information that the funds were originally intended for the Hajj Special Committee.
“What do you know regarding the provision of US$100,000 to Gus Alex through Mr Budi Darmawan?” the prosecutor asked.
“Regarding that, Sir, it was at the request of Mr Agus. At that time, as I recall, I was performing Umrah. Mr Agus borrowed US$100,000. Someone took a portion of it, and it was borrowed in the name of Gus Alex. I merely informed Mr Budi, and Mr Budi did have the funds at that time. However, I said, ‘Sir, this is a loan.’ After I returned from Umrah, I asked Mr Agus to repay it,” Taufik explained.
“Has the money been returned?” the prosecutor continued.
“Yes, it has, Sir,” Taufik answered.
“Okay, good. Do you know the purpose of that money and for whose use?” the prosecutor asked to confirm.
“I heard, Sir, from Mr Agus, that it was for the Special Committee, Sir,” Taufik said.
“For the Special Committee. The money was used for the Special Committee by?” the prosecutor asked.
“By Gus Alex, Sir,” Taufik replied.
In addition to Taufik, the KPK prosecutors also presented seven other witnesses, all of whom were from PIHKs.
The examination of these witnesses is part of the prosecution’s efforts to uncover the management and allocation process of the additional Hajj quota, including the flow of fees and the involvement of associations and PIHKs in the mechanism.
They will testify regarding four defendants facing legal action in the alleged corruption case of the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota, which resulted in state losses of approximately Rp622,090,071,166.41 (Rp622 billion).
The defendants include the former Minister of Religious Affairs (2019-2024) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas; former Special Staff Yaqut, Ishfah Abidal Azis (alias Gus Alex); the Operational Director of Maktour, Ismail Adham; and the General Chairman of the Kesthuri Association and Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama, Asrul Azis Taba.