Yaqut's Legal Counsel Says the Hajj Quota Is Not a State Loss

JAKARTA — Mellisa Anggraini, counsel for former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, has criticised a report by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) that alleges irregularities in Indonesia’s 2023–2024 haj quota. The remarks were made at a pre-trial hearing into the designation of Yaqut as a suspect at the South Jakarta District Court on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

The KPK said it had received Audit Report No. 36/SR/WKA from BPK, detailing findings of a significant inspection aimed at calculating alleged state losses connected to the haj quota. The report concluded three irregularities: the designation of an additional haj quota for special purposes, the process of filling the additional special haj quota, and the flow of funds related to the 2023–2024 haj operations.

“That quota cannot be an asset, cannot be valued in money, and cannot be categorised as state wealth. Each year the quota remains unused, from hundreds to nearly 1,000. The leftover quota cannot be monetised and ultimately vanishes,” Mellisa said.

She added that the quota was set by technical calculations based on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, with involvement of the DPR RI (House of Representatives) and BPKH, and therefore not solely the decision of the Minister of Religious Affairs.

Mellisa also rejected allegations of irregularities in filling the additional special haj quota. The process, she said, is the responsibility of the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah (PHU), not the Ministry, and to date no legal action has been taken against those involved.

On the alleged fund flows, Mellisa stated that no funds had been received by Yaqut, and some parties had returned money. “There has never been any fund flow to Gus Yaqut. Indeed, it was previously stated that the evidence of such a fund flow does not exist at all,” she said.

She questioned the validity of the Rp 622 billion state loss figure cited by the KPK, noting that it stems from investigative work rather than an official audit. “Is that a provisional report, a periodic report, or has it already been closed with an LHP? In the letter we have seen, it is not an LHP. The BPK No. 36/SR/WKA is also not an LHP,” she added.

The next court session is scheduled for Thursday, 5 March 2026, with the agenda of presenting evidence.