KPK Plans to Call Maktour Boss: His Testimony is Important in the Hajj Quota Corruption Case

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that it will call Maktour Travel boss Fuad Hasan Masyhur again to investigate the alleged corruption in determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 hajj at the Ministry of Religion.

This was conveyed by KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo when asked about the summons of a number of travel agents or travel agents who organize special hajj (PIHK) which will be held this week. He said Fuad's testimony was needed.

"For the time being we can't be sure (calling Fuad Hasan Masyhur, ed). But it is certainly possible, because, from the explanations we have given, we explain the roles of those concerned in the alleged series of events or alleged acts against the law of the parties in the investigation of the Hajj quota case," said Budi to reporters at the KPK Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, quoted on Tuesday, April 7.

Budi explained that Fuad in the Hajj quota corruption case played an active role through the Silaturahmi Forum of the Hajj and Umrah Travel Association (SATHU) by holding meetings.

"Well, then, it is important for investigators to delve into the substance of the meeting," he said.

"Because it is suspected that there are initiatives taken by these private parties to encourage the Ministry of Religion to make a discretionary decision on the distribution of additional Hajj quotas," continued Budi.

Meanwhile, the Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, said that his party was just waiting for the time to trap Fuad. Evidence of his involvement in the haj quota corruption case is being sharpened by investigators.

"There are several people that we are re-deepening. Earlier, the Director General of PHU (Director General of Haji and Umrah Implementation of the Ministry of Religion Hilman Latief) and then also FHM and others. So we just have to wait for the development," said Asep as quoted from the KPK RI YouTube, Tuesday, March 31.

Asep emphasized that anyone who enriched themselves in the alleged corruption of the haj quota must be held accountable for their actions. Moreover, at this time, the public continues to monitor the development of this case.

The search for evidence is said to be Asep will continue through witnesses. "At least (until, ed) we found two pieces of evidence that are sufficient to establish the person concerned as a suspect," he said.

The KPK previously appointed Ismail and Asrul because they were suspected of plotting to get additional Hajj quotas from the Saudi Arabian government. The two even gave money to carry out their wishes.

Ismail is said to have given money to Ishfah Abidal Azis, who is a former special staff of the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas worth 30 thousand US dollars. Then, he gave money to Abdul Latief as the Director General of Haji and Umrah (Dirjen PHU) Ministry of Religion with details of 5,000 US dollars and 16,000 Saudi riyals.

This act then made Maktour obtain an illegal profit in 2024 worth Rp. 27.8 billion.

Meanwhile, Asrul is said to have given money worth 406 thousand US dollars. From this gift, eight special haj organizers (PIHK) under the auspices of Kesthuri received illegal profits of up to Rp. 40.8 billion.

The determination of the two is an expansion of the corruption case of the haj quota which had previously ensnared Yaqut and Ishfah. This corruption allegation began with the provision of 20,000 additional haj 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 DPR RI, the special hajj quota 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. Using the maneuver of issuing the Minister of Religion Decree (KMA) which was not disseminated transparently, he divided the additional Hajj quota into a 50 percent scheme for regular Hajj and 50 percent for special Hajj.

After that, Ishfah Abidal Aziz implemented the policy by relaxing the rules for special hajj pilgrims. He is suspected of arranging the filling of the remaining special hajj quota to be handed over to the proposal of the Special Hajj Service (PIHK) or travel agents which should be in accordance with the national order number as regulated by law.

In return for these accelerated facilities, Gus Alex instructed his subordinates to collect illegal levies or fees from travel parties, which were ultimately charged to prospective special pilgrims. In 2023, the amount of fees set at USD5,000 or around Rp84.4 million per pilgrim.

Meanwhile, in the 2024 Hajj, the collection rate was agreed at least USD2,000 to USD2,500 per pilgrim.

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.