KPK Confiscates Money When Checking Travel Organizers Of Special Hajj At Yogyakarta Police

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo. (Tsa Tsia-VOI)

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confiscated a sum of money from travel agents or travel agents of special Hajj organizers (PIHK) suspected of being related to corruption in quotas and the implementation of Hajj in 2023-2024 at the Ministry of Religion.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said the forced attempt was made after investigators examined three witnesses from the travel agent at the Yogyakarta Police office, Thursday, October 23 yesterday. They are Lili Widojani Sugihwiharno, Muhammad Muchtar, and Ahmad Bahiej.

"The examination is related to the sale and purchase of quotas to the congregation and the confiscation of a sum of money in foreign currency," Budi said in a written statement, Friday, October 24.

Actually, investigators will also examine other witnesses, namely Durrotun Nafiah, Nur Azizah Rizki Kurnia Wardani, and Raden Tanto Sri Hartanto. However, all three were not present.

Durrotun Nafiah and Nur Azizah were said to have not attended because there had already been scheduled activities. "Meanwhile, witness TSH did not attend without confirmation," said 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 more than 300 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.