KPK: Travel Agents From The Association Of HIMPUH Return Money Related To Corruption Hajj Quota

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed a number of travel agents or travel agents who are members of the Umrah and Hajj Organizing Association (HIMPUH) to return money related to the corruption case of quotas and organizing Hajj in 2023-2024 to the Ministry of Religion.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said this return was made by travel agents when examined by investigators. However, he did not specify how much money had been handed over and then confiscated.

"KPK also received returns from travel bureaus or special Hajj organizers specifically or from travel bureaus under the HIMPUH association," Budi told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday, September 30.

Budi appreciated the refund by the travel agent. "This is certainly positive news," he said.

"This travel biro-biro is also then cooperative with the KPK investigation process," continued Budi.

In the future, the KPK hopes that the travel agent who is called cooperative.

So that the law enforcement process related to the hajj quota case can run effectively and the KPK can immediately determine the parties responsible and become suspects in this case.

Previously reported, the KPK said that allegations of corruption related to quotas and the implementation of Hajj in 2023-2024 at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) would enter a new chapter. In the near future, the suspects will be determined because of the ongoing process using a general investigation warrant (sprindik). The general regulation 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 number 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 stems from the provision of an additional 20,000 hajj quotas from the Saudi Arabian government for Indonesia to reduce the queues of pilgrims. However, the distribution turned out to be problematic because it was divided equally, namely 50 percent for regular Hajj and 50 percent for special Hajj based on the Decree (SK) of the Minister of Religion signed by Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. After receiving the quota, they sold the additional quota to prospective pilgrims.

During the investigation process, a number of parties have been questioned, including Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. Investigators have also searched his house and found documents and electronic evidence that are suspected to be related.