KPK Examines Central Java Ministry Of Religion Head Of Regional Office Saiful Mujab Regarding Allegations Of Corruption Hajj Quota

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) examined two witnesses regarding the alleged corruption of quotas and the implementation of Hajj in 2023-2024 at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag), today, October 8. One of them is Saiful Mujab as Head of the Regional Office (Kakanwil) of the Ministry of Religion of Central Java.

"The investigation was carried out at the KPK's Red and White building," said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo to reporters in a written statement, Wednesday, October 8.

Saiful previously served as Secretary of the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry of Religion and the Head of the Regional Office of the DKI Jakarta Ministry of Religion. He then served as Head of Regional Office of the Central Java Ministry of Religion in December 2024 after being inaugurated by the Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar.

Apart from Saiful Mujab, the anti-corruption commission also examined Ali Makki, who is the President Director of PT Al Haramain Jaya Wisata. However, Budi has not detailed the summons.

He only said that both of them would be questioned in the corruption case of the hajj quota being handled by investigators.

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

Previously reported, the KPK is investigating allegations of corruption related to quotas and the implementation of Hajj in 2023-2024 at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag). No suspects have been named for using a general investigation warrant (sprindik).

The generalized 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.