Check Ex-Director General of PHU Hilman Latief, KPK Investigates Meeting with Yaqut Cholil Qoumas 

DOK BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating a meeting involving former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to discuss additional Hajj quotas for the 2023-2024 period.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said the investigation was carried out by examining the former Director General of Hajj and Umrah Implementation, Hilman Latief, on Wednesday, May 20. He underwent an examination at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

"Including confirmation of meetings with ministers and other officials related to additional Hajj quotas," Budi told reporters, Thursday, May 21.

In addition, investigators also questioned Hilman Latief about the efforts of the haji travel bureau which is included in the association to manage additional haji quotas.

"Witness HL is being investigated regarding the efforts of associations or PIHK (special haj organizers) to manage additional haj quotas," he said.

The KPK previously named two new suspects in the Hajj quota corruption case, namely Ismail Adhan as the Director of Operations of Maktour Travel and Asrul Azis Taba who is the former General Chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Travel Association (Kesthuri). The two are suspected of plotting to get additional Hajj quotas from the Saudi government even giving money.

Ismail is said to have given money to Ishfah Abidal Azis, who is a former special staff of the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas worth 30 thousand US dollars. Then, he gave money to Abdul Latief as the Director General of Haji and Umrah (Dirjen PHU) Ministry of Religion with details of 5,000 US dollars and 16,000 Saudi riyals.

This act then made Maktour obtain an illegal profit in 2024 worth Rp. 27.8 billion.

Meanwhile, Asrul is said to have given money worth 406 thousand US dollars. From this gift, eight special haj organizers (PIHK) under the auspices of Kesthuri received illegal profits of up to Rp. 40.8 billion.

The two are known to be suspects after the KPK first ensnared Yaqut and Ishfah. This suspected corruption began with the provision of 20,000 additional Hajj quotas from the Saudi Arabian government to Indonesia in 2023-2024.