Former Minister of Religion Yaqut, a Suspect in the Hajj Quota, is Said to be the Wife of Immanuel Ebenezer, who has not been at the KPK Detention Center since Thursday Night

JAKARTA - The wife of former Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer, Silvia Rinita Harefa revealed that the former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was not at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Detention House (Rutan) since Thursday evening, March 19.

This was conveyed by Silvia after visiting her husband who is currently undergoing trial related to alleged extortion regarding safety and security certification (K3) at the Ministry of Health. Yaqut is known as a suspect in the corruption case for determining the quota and implementation of the 2023-2024 hajj in the Ministry of Religion.

"At first, I didn't see Gus Yaqut. The information said he would leave Thursday night," Silvia told reporters, Saturday, March 21.

Silvia admitted that Noel told him about Yaqut who was unknown. "Everyone knows about it. They just ask questions, right, they say there are examinations, but it's impossible that before the night of the prayer there will be an examination, right," he said.

"Until today, (former Minister of Foreign Affairs Yaqut, ed) there is none," he continued.

As for Yaqut, he also did not appear when the KPK held the Idulfitri prayer for prisoners who are Muslim. In fact, the former staff, especially, Ishfah Abidal Azis who is also a suspect in the haj quota corruption case was seen participating in the worship activity.

Ishfah is known to have performed the Idulfitri prayer with other prisoners, namely the non-active Pati Regent Sudewo, the non-active Bekasi Regent Ade Kuswara Kunang, the non-active Central Lampung Regent Ardito Wijaya, to the non-active Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq.

Until now, KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo has not responded to the news conveyed by Immanuel Ebenezer's wife. "I'm checking it first," he said via an SMS.

As previously reported, the KPK officially detained the former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas on Thursday, March 12. This arrest was carried out after he was named a suspect in the corruption case of determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 hajj at the Ministry of Religion together with staff, especially Ishfah Abidal Azis alias Gus Alex.

The alleged corruption began with the granting of 20,000 additional Hajj quotas from the Saudi Arabian government to Indonesia in 2023-2024. Based on Law Number 8 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of the Hajj and Umrah and the results of the agreement of the Panja Meeting of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, special Hajj quotas should be set at 8 percent of the total quota, while the remaining 92 percent is intended for regular Hajj.

However, Yaqut as the Minister of Religion at that time allegedly unilaterally changed its composition. He used the maneuver of issuing a Minister of Religion Decree (KMA) which was not disseminated transparently, Yaqut divided the additional Hajj quota into a 50 percent scheme for regular Hajj and 50 percent for special Hajj.

Meanwhile, Ishfah Abidal Aziz implemented the policy by relaxing the rules for special hajj pilgrims. He arranged for the filling of the remaining special hajj quota to be submitted to the proposal of the Special Hajj Service Provider (PIHK) or travel agency.

In fact, there should be an order of departure according to the national order number according to the law. In return for these acceleration facilities, Gus Alex instructed his subordinates to collect illegal levies or fees from travel parties, which were ultimately imposed on prospective special pilgrims.

The billions of rupiah from the collection of fees are suspected to have flowed into the pockets of Gus Yaqut, Gus Alex, and a number of other officials in the Ministry of Religion.

Then there is an allegation that some of the funds were deliberately prepared and used to condition the Special Hajj Committee (Pansus) which was formed by the DPR RI in mid-2024. However, a refusal was given so that no transfer by intermediaries would occur.

As a result of the actions of the two, the state is said to have lost up to IDR 622 billion. They were then suspected of violating Article 2 (1) and or Article 3 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 jo Article 55 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.