In Addition To The Former Minister Of Religion Yaqut, The KPK Checks The Association Regarding Allegations Of Corruption Hajj Quota

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) did not only examine the former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas regarding the alleged corruption of quotas and the implementation of the 2023-2024 Hajj pilgrimage today.

Investigators also summoned the association of Hajj and Umrah agents, including Achmad Ruhyudin as staff of the Mutiara Haji Association.

"The investigation was carried out at the KPK's Red and White building," said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo to reporters in a written statement, Monday, September 1.

Apart from Achmad Ruhyudin, investigators also summoned Asrul Azis Taba as Ketum Kesthuri and Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama; Arie Prasetyo as Operational Manager of PT Zahra Oto Mandiri (Uhud Tour); and Eris Herlambang as staff of PT Anugrah Citra Mulia. They were questioned as witnesses.

"The KPK has scheduled an examination of witnesses suspected of corruption related to the hajj quota for the implementation of the pilgrimage in 2023-2024," he said.

Yaqut is still undergoing examination. He arrived at the KPK office at around 09.22 WIB.

Meanwhile, Achmad Ruhyudin arrived at around 09.33 WIB.

Previously reported, the KPK has issued a general investigation warrant (sprindik) for alleged corruption in the addition of quotas and the implementation of Hajj. This institution reasoned that the issuance was carried out so that they could make forced efforts.

The general Sprindik uses Article 2 Paragraph 1 and/or Article 3 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2021 in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code. This means that there are state losses that occur due to this corrupt practice.

State losses in the corruption case of quota and Hajj for the period 2023-2024 are said to have reached more than IDR 1 trillion. This amount is still increasing because it is only the initial calculation of the KPK which continues to coordinate with the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).

This case began with the provision of 20,000 additional Hajj quotas from the Saudi Arabian government for Indonesia to reduce queues for pilgrims.

However, recently the distribution turned out to be problematic because it was divided equally, namely 50 percent for regular Hajj and 50 percent for special Hajj.

In fact, based on the law, the distribution should be 92 percent for regular Hajj and 8 percent for special Hajj.