Up To Investigation, KPK Calls Corruption Crimes Related To Determination Of Hajj Quota By Ministry Of Religion

Acting Deputy For Enforcement And Execution Of The KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) officially announced allegations of corruption related to the implementation of the Hajj at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) in 2023-2024 which rose to investigation. It is suspected that there was a narrow practice related to the determination of the quota.

"The KPK has raised the status of the investigation regarding the determination of the quota and the implementation of the Hajj at the Ministry of Religion in 2023-2024 to the investigation stage," said Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu at a press conference at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Saturday, August 9 in the morning.

Asep said that a general investigation warrant (sprindik) had been issued. "We have found an incident suspected of being a criminal act of corruption related to the determination of quotas and the implementation of Hajj services at the Ministry of Religion in 2023-2024," he said.

"So it is concluded that an investigation is carried out," continued Asep.

Adapun sprindik umum berarti belum ada tersangka dalam kasus ini. Pasal yang digunakan adalah berkaitan dengan kerugian negara.

"In investigating this case, the KPK issued a generalized sprindik with the imposition of 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," he explained.

Previously reported, the KPK has carried out an investigation related to allegations of corruption in the implementation of the hajj. They sniff out allegations of fraudulent practices related to the addition of hajj quotas. The distribution is said to be not in accordance with the rules in Article 64 paragraph 2 of Law Number 8 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of Hajj and Umrah.

During the investigation process, the KPK has summoned the travel agents or travel agents of Hajj and Umrah as well as employees of the Ministry of Religion in the investigation. Then, the former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas also questioned on Thursday, August 7.

After being examined, Yaqut stated that he had provided the necessary information in front of investigators. He admitted that he explained about the alleged problem with the hajj quota.

"Yes, thank God, I am grateful that I finally got the opportunity, got the opportunity to clarify everything, especially those related to the distribution of additional quotas in the 2024 Hajj process," Yaqut told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.