JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has issued a general investigation warrant (sprindik) to investigate alleged corruption in the determination of Hajj quotas and the organization of the 2023-2024 Hajj pilgrimage at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
This was announced by Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, when announcing that the alleged corruption had been escalated to an investigation stage. A general sprindik means no suspects have been named.
"In investigating this case, the KPK issued a general sprindik," Asep said at a press conference at the KPK's Merah Putih building in Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, early Saturday, August 9.
Asep stated that this alleged corruption has resulted in state losses.
Therefore, the general investigation warrant applies Article 2 Paragraph 1 and/or Article 3 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2021 in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph 1, Point 1 of the Criminal Code.
"The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has discovered incidents suspected of corruption related to the determination of quotas and the organization of the 2023-2024 Hajj pilgrimage at the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Therefore, an investigation has been concluded," he said.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) previously indicated that the investigation into corruption in the Hajj pilgrimage administration at the Ministry of Religious Affairs would soon enter a new phase. This allegation has been reported several times and implicated former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, stated that this allegation stemmed from a request for an additional Hajj quota communicated between the Indonesian and Saudi Arabian governments. This measure was intended to reduce the queue of pilgrims.
"This is to shorten, to cut it. The quota must be increased, so more people must travel. So, they were given 20,000, if I'm not mistaken, yes, 20,000," Asep told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building in Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, as quoted on Friday, July 25.
The additional quota from the Saudi Arabian government is what caused the problem. "There's a regulation stating that the quota is 8 to 92. If I'm not mistaken, please correct me, 8 percent is for special Hajj and 92 percent for regular Hajj," he emphasized.
"But then it turned out to be split 50-50," Asep continued.
This situation is suspected to have benefited other parties. In their investigation, Asep continued, investigators are still questioning each level, from the Hajj organizers at the Ministry of Religious Affairs to travel agents.
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