PBNU Staff Examined By KPK Today Regarding Allegations Of Corruption Hajj Quota

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo. (Tsa Tsia-VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) examined Syaiful Bahri as the staff of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) today, September 9. He was questioned as a witness to the alleged corruption in the implementation and quota of Hajj in 2023-2024 at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag).

"The examination was carried out at the KPK's Red and White Building," said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo to reporters in a written statement, Tuesday, September 9.

In addition, the anti-corruption commission also summoned Ramadah Harisman as a civil servant (PNS) of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag). Budi has not yet detailed the matter of the examination, as well as the presence of neither Syaiful nor Ramadah.

Furthermore, the KPK also examined Khalid Zeed Abdullah Basamalah, who is a preacher and owner of the Uhud Tour. He has come to the anti-corruption commission office since 11.04 WIB.

Khalid's examination is a rescheduling of the previous call. He should have been questioned on Tuesday, September 2 but was not present at the time.

The KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said Khalid would be questioned regarding the alleged corruption in the hajj quota being handled. "Rescheduling from the previous examination," he said when confirmed.

Budi emphasized that Khalid was presented as a fact witness. His statement as the owner of the Uhud Tour is needed.

"Witnesses as the owner of the pilgrimage travel, meaning as a fact witness, of course, the information is needed to reveal and make light of this case," said Budi.

Previously reported, the KPK has issued a general investigation warrant (sprindik) for alleged corruption in the addition of quotas and the implementation of Hajj in 2023-2024. 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 the queue of pilgrims.

However, 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 92 percent for regular Hajj and 8 percent for special Hajj.

The distribution was allegedly due to money from the Hajj and Umrah travel parties as well as the associations that oversee the Ministry of Religion. Then, they sell the additional quotas obtained to prospective pilgrims.