KPK Confirms Having Collected Evidence of Corruption Money Flow for Hajj Quota to Former Minister of Religion Yaqut

Former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas while visiting the KPK building (Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that it has collected evidence related to the flow of money allegedly corrupt in determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 hajj at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag).

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said this finding was obtained by investigators after examining witnesses, including the special haj organizer (PIHK). He said that the cooperative party had explained the flow of money to the Ministry of Religion.

"There are many witnesses who have explained about it," Budi told reporters at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, quoted on Wednesday, February 25.

In addition, investigators also found evidence when carrying out searches in several places.

"A number of money or other assets have also been seized by the KPK which is suspected to be related to the case."

Meanwhile, former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas through his lawyer, Mellisa Anggraini, has denied receiving a flow of corrupt money for the haj quota.

This was conveyed by him after providing additional explanations regarding the calculation of state losses to the Financial Audit Agency (BPK) on February 11.

"We also emphasize that there has never been a flow of funds in any form to Mr. Yaqut Cholil Qoumas related to the 2024 Hajj quota policy," Mellisa said then in a written statement.

The decision of the Minister of Religion Number 130 of 2024 regarding the Hajj quota was compiled and determined by considering the legal and technical aspects of the implementation of the Hajj, especially in order to maintain the safety, service, and interests of the Hajj pilgrims.

As previously reported, former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas filed a pretrial to the South Jakarta District Court (PN) on Monday, February 10. The lawsuit was registered with the number 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN.JKT.SEL.

This pretrial was filed after the KPK announced two suspects in the corruption case for determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 Hajj period at the Ministry of Religion. They are former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and staff in particular, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex.

The determination of the suspect was made later, because the KPK investigated the alleged corruption by using a general investigation order (sprindik) issued on August 7, 2025.

The Sprindik general uses Article 2 Paragraph 1 and/or Article 3 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2021 jo article 55 paragraph 1-1 of the Criminal Code. This means that there is state loss that occurs due to this corrupt practice.

The KPK said that the state's losses in the 2023-2024 quota and Hajj management corruption cases were said to have reached more than Rp. 1 trillion. The suspicion began with the provision of 20,000 additional Hajj quotas from the Saudi Arabian government for Indonesia to reduce the queue of 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, according to the law, the distribution should be 92 percent for regular hajj and 8 percent for special hajj.

During the course of this case, a number of parties have been examined. Among them are former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to travel agents or travel agents who organize special hajj (PIHK), including Fuad Hasan Masyhur as the boss of Maktour.