KPK to Announce Progress in Hajj Quota Corruption Case Tomorrow After Former Minister of Religion Yaqut Returns to Jail

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will announce the latest developments in handling the corruption case for determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 hajj at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag).

This was conveyed by the Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, whose announcement will be conveyed through a press conference. However, he has not detailed the findings obtained by investigators.

"Tomorrow we plan to make progress, yes, regarding the handling of this Hajj quota," Asep told reporters at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday, March 24.

Asep said investigators would also schedule an examination of the former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, who is now back in detention at the KPK's Red and White Branch Detention House.

Yaqut is known to have been under house arrest since Thursday, March 19. The transfer of the detention status was carried out after there was a request from the family on March 17 or five days after the detention on Thursday, March 12.

This incident then became a controversy in the community. A number of parties, including former investigators, highlighted the KPK's attitude because the change of the status of detention was the first time it was carried out.

Meanwhile, the KPK said that the change in status from prison detention to house arrest was claimed by the KPK to have been reviewed and in accordance with Article 108 paragraph (1) and (11) of Law Number 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code.

Article 108 paragraph (11) regulates that the transfer of type of detention can be carried out based on an investigation order which is given to the suspect, the suspect's family, and the interested parties.

"Just wait tomorrow," said Asep when asked further about the development of the haj quota corruption case.

In the case of corruption in the haj quota, the KPK has only detained two suspects, namely Yaqut and the former staff, specifically, Ishfah Abidal Azis. Both are suspected of making the state lose money based on the calculations of the Financial Audit Agency (BPK) because of the discretion in determining the haj quota which is not in accordance with the rules.

However, the KPK through Asep has also given a code that will process the law of private parties who are suspected of being involved. "Just wait for it related to the suspects from the private sector," he told reporters quoted on Monday, March 16.

Asep at that time did not give further explanation about the private party in question. He just said, the role of this figure had already been explained in the construction of the case that ensnared Yaqut and his subordinates.

Meanwhile, during the press conference for Yaqut's detention, Asep briefly mentioned the involvement of Fuad Hasan Masyhur as the boss of Maktour Travel. This entrepreneur once wrote a letter to Yaqut as the Board of Trustees of the Silaturahmi Forum of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Travel (SATHU).

This step was taken after the Saudi government provided an additional quota, which initially amounted to 8,000 to the Indonesian government in 2023.

"FHM as the Board of Trustees of the SATHU Forum sent a letter to the YCQ which aims to maximize the absorption of additional quotas," said Asep in a press conference at the KPK Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, March 12.

In addition, Fuad, who is the father-in-law of former Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo, also communicated with the former Director General of Haji and Umrah (PHU) Hilman Latief. The goal is the same, namely maximizing the absorption of additional Hajj quotas.

The communication, continued Asep, was carried out after the Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives with Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as the Minister of Religion in May 2023.

Furthermore, Asep also said that the Sathu Forum which was initiated by Fuad had met with Yaqut in November 2023. They asked to manage the special hajj quota of more than 9 percent.

"The meeting discussed, among others, the request of the SATHU Forum to manage additional special Hajj quotas of more than 8 percent."

Regarding the guerrilla carried out by Fuad, Asep said that the deepening was still being carried out. "Whether he received something, well, so far we are still investigating it, from 2023 and 2024," said Asep.