KPK Ultimatum Witness Of Hajj Cases That Are Not Responding To Calls: We Have The Authority To Make Forced Efforts

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) emphasized that forced efforts could be made against witnesses of alleged corruption in quotas and the implementation of Hajj in 2023-2024 at the uncooperative Ministry of Religion (Kemenag).

This was conveyed by the KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo who said that a number of witnesses were not present to fulfill the investigator's summons on Wednesday, October 1. Investigators said they had the authority to decide whether or not to make forced efforts, such as applying for a ban on traveling abroad.

"KPK has the authority to make forced efforts at the investigation stage, such as preventive measures abroad to parties whose whereabouts are needed to remain in Indonesia, in order to provide the information needed by investigators," Budi told reporters in a written statement quoted on Friday, October 3.

Budi said there were two witnesses who were not present at the examination. They are Asrul Aziz Taba as General Chair of the Indonesian Umrah Hajj Association (Kesthuri) and Muhammad Farid Aljawi who is the Daily Chair of the Association of Togetherness of Hajj and Umrah Travel Entrepreneurs (BERSATHU).

Meanwhile, the witnesses who attended were Firman M. Nur as General Chair of Amphuri; M. Firman Taufik who is the General Chair of the Umrah and Hajj Organizing Association (Himpuh); Syam Resfision as Chairperson of Sapuhi; H Amaluddin as Commissioner of PT Ebad Al Rahman Wisata and Director of PT Diva Mabruro; and Lutfhi Abdul Jabbar who is Secretary General of Mutiara Haji.

During the examination, Budi said, investigators explored several things. Including the payment mechanism for organizing the Hajj with special quotas and allegations of misuse of quotas for Hajj officers.

"KPK reminds those who are summoned to be asked for cooperative information to fulfill the summons and support the investigation process," he said.

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 process that runs using a general investigation warrant (sprindik).

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 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 20,000 additional Hajj quotas from the Saudi Arabian government for Indonesia to reduce queues for 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.

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

Later, the distribution of problems was allegedly due to money from the Hajj and Umrah travel parties as well as the associations that oversee the Ministry of Religion. After getting the allotment, 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.