Apart From Ex Staff, People Close To Former Minister Of Religion Yaqut Will Be Worked On By The KPK This Week

Former Minister Of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas At The KPK Building, Jakarta (ANTARAI)

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said a number of people close to former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas would be questioned this week. Investigators will question them regarding the alleged corruption of quotas and the implementation of Hajj in 2023-2024 at the Ministry of Religion.

"Yes, this week there will be an examination summons for several parties suspected of knowing information or information related to the alleged corruption case related to the Indonesian Hajj quota for the implementation of the Hajj pilgrimage in 2023-2024, according to the Sprindik," said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo to reporters quoted Wednesday, August 27.

The parties summoned will be asked to explain several things, including being confirmed about the evidence obtained during the last search. "This week, investigators are scheduling the examination of witnesses," said Budi.

"Of course, in examining these witnesses, they will be investigated regarding the clues or evidence that has been secured and confiscated during the search last week," he continued.

The anti-corruption commission summoned one witness on Tuesday, August 26. He is the special staff (stafsus) of the Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Ishfah Abidal Azis alias Gus Alex.

He was economical when asked about his examination regarding the alleged corruption in quotas and the implementation of Hajj in 2023-2024 at the Ministry of Religion. Investigators worked on Ishfah until 20.30 WIB.

"Just to investigators," said Ishfah when asked about the distribution of 20,000 additional quotas from the Saudi Arabian government at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday night, August 26.

Ishfah is known to be one of the parties prevented from leaving the country. His house in Depok, West Java had also been searched and a car was confiscated at that time.

Previously reported, the KPK has issued a general investigation warrant (sprindik) for alleged corruption in the addition of quotas and the implementation of Hajj. This institution reasoned that the issuance was carried out so that they could make forced efforts.

The general Sprindik uses 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. This means that there are state losses that occur due to this corrupt practice.

State losses in the corruption case of quota and Hajj for the period 2023-2024 are said to have reached more than IDR 1 trillion. This amount is still increasing because it is only the initial calculation of the KPK which continues to coordinate with the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).

This case began with the provision of 20,000 additional Hajj quotas from the Saudi Arabian government for Indonesia to reduce queues for pilgrims.

However, recently the distribution turned out to be problematic because it was divided equally, namely 50 percent for regular Hajj and 50 percent for special Hajj.

In fact, based on the law, the distribution should be set at 92 percent for regular Hajj and 8 percent for special Hajj.