KPK Searches For Parties Enjoying Corruption Money Hajj Quota Through Ministry Of Religion Official Eri Kusmar

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has finished examining the Head of the General Section and State Property of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Eri Kusmar today. He was questioned by investigators about the flow of money for corruption quotas and the implementation of Hajj in 2023-2024 at the Ministry of Religion.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said Eri was examined as a witness at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta. It is suspected that money was channeled from a travel agent or travel agent for the special pilgrimage (PIHK) to the ministry.

"The witness was investigated regarding the flow of money from PIHK to elements at the Ministry of Religion," Budi told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, October 23.

Budi ensured that the investigation into the hajj quota corruption case continued. Investigators are now focusing on seeking witness statements to calculate state losses with the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).

"So far, more than 300 PIHKs have been questioned for the need to calculate the state's losses from various regions such as East Java, Yogyakarta, South Sumatra, Jakarta, South Kalimantan, and several other areas," 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 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.