Investigating Allegations Of Corruption Hajj Quota, KPK Checks 350 Travel Agents

Illustration. KPK Red and White Building. (Tsa Tsia-VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has examined more than 350 travel agents or travel agents of special Hajj organizers (PIHK) until last week. This examination relates to the investigation of alleged corruption in quotas and the implementation of Hajj services in 2023-2024 at the Ministry of Religion.

"Until now, more than 350 trips have been examined in parallel for the need for calculating state losses," said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo to reporters in a written statement, Tuesday, November 11.

Budi said the travel agents examined were not only on the island of Java. "Last week, investigators conducted an examination of travel bureaus in the South Sulawesi and East Kalimantan areas," he said.

"For PIHKs who have not fulfilled the summons for inspection, rescheduling will be carried out because every information from the PIHK is needed in investigating this case," continued Budi.

Previously reported, the KPK is investigating allegations of corruption related to quotas and the implementation of Hajj in 2023-2024 at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag). No suspects have been named for using a general investigation warrant (sprindik).

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 number is still increasing because it is only the initial calculation of the KPK which continues to coordinate with the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).

During the investigation process, a number of parties have been questioned, including Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. Investigators have also searched his house and found documents and electronic evidence that are suspected to be related.

Then, checks were also carried out on hundreds of travel agents or travel agents who organize special Hajj (PIHK) and confiscated money from them. However, the anti-corruption commission has not detailed the amount because the calculation is still being carried out by investigators.