Former Director Of Foreign Hajj Services Of The Ministry Of Religion Chooses To Silence After Being Examined By The KPK

Former Director Of Foreign Hajj Services Of The Ministry Of Religion Subhan Cholid/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - Former Director of Foreign Hajj Services at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Subhan Cholid chose to remain silent after being questioned at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta today.

He rushed after being questioned as a witness to alleged corruption in quotas and the implementation of Hajj in 2023-2024 at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag).

From observations in the field, Subhan finished undergoing an examination at the KPK office at around 14.30 WIB after being questioned since morning.

"No statement was made because he chose to walk quickly to avoid journalists while occasionally closing his hands in front of his chest, "Just wait for the investigators," said Subhan.

Meanwhile, KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said Subhan was investigated about several things in the alleged corruption in the hajj quota by investigators. One of them is related to the distribution of 20,000 additional pilgrims from the Saudi Arabian government to the Indonesian government.

"In today's examination of witness SC, investigators explored their knowledge regarding the distribution of the 50:50 hajj quota and the provision of services for pilgrims," said Budi in a written statement.

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.