Yaqut's Aide Reveals Rp500 Million Request for DPR Commission VIII Leaders

Ishfah Abidal Azis, also known as Gus Alex, a special aide to former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, revealed a request for Rp200 million to witness Rizky Fisa Abadi, intended for the leaders of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI).

Rizky served as the Head of the Sub-Directorate for Licensing, Accreditation, and Development of Special Hajj Implementation at the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the 2022-2023 period and currently works at the Ministry’s Secretariat General.

Initially, Ishfah denied Rizky’s testimony, which claimed he had borrowed Rp500 million in two separate instalments of Rp200 million and Rp300 million.

“I want to confirm again with Mr Rizky, to ask him again, and once more, please state the facts as they are. Earlier, Mr Rizky stated when confirmed by the Public Prosecutor’s colleagues that Mr Rizky handed me money amounting to Rp500 million. Is that correct?” asked Ishfah from the defendant’s seat at the Corruption Court (Tipikor) of the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday (17/9) evening.

“Yes, but not directly,” replied Rizky.

“Not directly. The first was a reported loan of Rp200 million handed to someone in the Senayan complex, the DPR office, correct?” Ishfah continued.

“Correct, sir,” said Rizky.

Ishfah stated that at the time, he requested Rizky to hand over the Rp200 million to two individuals at the DPR complex. However, Rizky claimed he only met one person.

“One person. Mr Rizky, do you know what it was for?” Ishfah asked again.

“I do not know, sir,” Rizky admitted.

“Did I not previously state that I needed, please help with funds amounting to Rp200 million for additional purposes for the recess funds of the Commission VIII leaders, a request from the Commission VIII leaders?” Ishfah reminded him.

“I do not remember, sir,” Rizky replied.

“You do not remember. At that time, Mr Rizky, you mentioned you were departing for Saudi Arabia on 27 November 2023. You were already on duty then,” Ishfah revealed.

“Oh, yes, sir,” answered Rizky.

“Before departing, I asked you to hand it directly to two staff members of the Commission VIII leaders,” Ishfah added.

“But I only met one person, sir,” Rizky noted.

“Okay. That relates to the Rp200 million, and I did not borrow it, Mr Rizky. I am just stating the facts. I did not borrow; I asked for your help,” Ishfah clarified.

“Understood,” said Rizky.

Furthermore, Ishfah also sought confirmation regarding another Rp300 million. Rizky stated that this money belonged to him, not Ishfah.

“Mr Rizky, in early January after the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia), do you remember I invited you? ‘Mr, can you please come to the guesthouse in Jeddah, before I return.’ At that time, I asked you, ‘I have money in the form of Saudi Riyal denominations, approximately 70,000. This money is a reimbursement for the costs I had to incur for the Working Committee (Panja) of Commission VIII, for souvenirs for 24 members of the Commission VIII Panja, and was replaced by order of the Director General.’ I asked, ‘Please, help me exchange this Riyal so I can receive it in Indonesia.’ Do you remember, Mr Rizky?” Ishfah asked.

Rizky stated he did not remember the event. He claimed the Rp300 million given to Ishfah through an intermediary at the PBNU building originated from his own funds.

“Then where did my 70,000 Riyals go, Mr?” Ishfah asked.

“I do not know, sir. I did not receive it,” replied Rizky.

“So this Rp300 million is your money?” Ishfah continued to confirm.

“Yes, sir,” said Rizky.

As far as Rizky remembered, the Rp300 million was a loan to Ishfah. He admitted he did not ask Ishfah about the purpose of the money.

“I never asked. So, Mr Rizky, you are not acknowledging or are you denying that I once asked for your help to exchange 70,000 Riyals so I could receive it in Rupiah in Indonesia? You do not acknowledge that, Mr Rizky?” asked Ishfah.

“I do not remember, sir,” replied Rizky.

In addition to Rizky, the KPK prosecutors also presented M Agus Syafii, the Head of the Sub-Directorate for Licensing, Accreditation, and Development of Special Hajj Implementation for the 2023-2024 period, in today’s trial.

There are four defendants being prosecuted in the alleged corruption case regarding the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota, which is suspected of causing state financial losses of Rp622,090,071,666.41 (approximately Rp622 billion), based on the Investigative Audit Report from the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK RI).

The defendants are Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, the special aide to Yaqut named Ishfah Abidal Azis (alias Gus Alex), the Operational Director of Maktour, Ismail Adham, and the Chairman of the Kesthuri Association who is also a Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama, Asrul Azis Taba.

The case is also suspected of enriching several other parties, including 313 Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK).