YOGYAKARTA – The alleged corruption case involving the special Hajj quota, which ensnared former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, is currently a hot topic of public discussion. What are the details of this case?
Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) requested travel bans for three individuals related to alleged corruption in the Hajj quota and the 2023-2024 Hajj pilgrimage within the Ministry of Religious Affairs. One of those banned is former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
"The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has issued a decree prohibiting travel abroad for three individuals, namely YCQ, IAA, and FHM," said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo on Tuesday, August 12, as reported by VOI.
IAA, whose initials are Ishfah Abidal Aziz, a former special staff member of Yaqut. Meanwhile, FHM is the boss of Maktour and the father-in-law of the Minister of Youth and Sports, Fuad Hasan Masyhuri.
A week after the travel ban was issued, the KPK announced that investigators would soon name suspects in the Hajj quota corruption case.
"As soon as possible, the KPK hopes to have sufficient evidence so that investigators can then name those responsible and suspects in this case," said the KPK spokesperson on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
The State of the Case in the Alleged Special Hajj Quota Corruption Case Intangling Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas
The alleged special Hajj quota corruption case that ensnared Gus Yaqut, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas' nickname, began with an investigation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). KPK investigators monitored the distribution of the additional Hajj quota for 2024.
It should be noted that at that time, the Indonesian government received an additional Hajj quota of 20,000 people from the Saudi Arabian government due to the decades-long waiting period for regular Hajj pilgrims.
According to Law Number 8 of 2019, the additional quota should have been allocated 92 percent for the regular Hajj quota, and the remaining 8 percent for the special Hajj quota. However, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, then under Gus Yaqut's leadership, instead divided the quota 50:50, meaning half for the regular Hajj quota and half for the special Hajj quota.
Referring to Minister of Religious Affairs Decree Number 130 of 2024 concerning the Additional Hajj Quota for 1445 Hijri/2024 AD, the additional Hajj quota of 20,000 was divided into 10,000 regular Hajj pilgrims and 10,000 for the special Hajj quota. 10,000 people for the special Hajj quota.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) considers the decree issued by Manager Yaqut to be in conflict with Law No. 8/2019. This regulation stipulates that the regular and special Hajj quotas cannot be divided equally.
Referring to the decree, the KPK then investigated the alleged violation of the law. They found that Ministry of Religious Affairs officials had met with several Hajj travel agents shortly after the Saudi Arabian government granted the additional Hajj quota.
The investigation also identified 10 travel agents suspected of profiting from this corruption case.
Furthermore, the KPK has estimated potential state losses due to the alleged corruption case involving the 2024 additional Hajj quota. According to the KPK's calculations, state losses could reach more than IDR 1 trillion. To determine the exact amount, the KPK is collaborating with the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).
During the investigation, the KPK questioned several current and former officials within the Ministry of Religious Affairs. These included Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organization at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Hilman Latief, and employees. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has the initials RFA, MAS, and AM.
Furthermore, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is also questioning preacher Khalid Basalamah, former Secretary General of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Muslim Association of Hajj and Umrah Organizers (DPP AMPHURI), Muhammad Farid Aljawi, and Chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Travel Association (Kesthuri), Asrul Aziz.
This is information regarding the alleged corruption case involving the special Hajj quota that ensnared former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. Get more selected news updates only on VOI.ID.
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