JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to search for other parties suspected of playing a role in the alleged corruption in determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 hajj at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag).
KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said this step was taken by examining the former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas on Wednesday, March 25. He emphasized that the former minister of the era of President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was needed.
As for Yaqut, he is currently a suspect in the haj quota corruption case. His detention was controversial because of the change in status from house arrest (prison) to house arrest.
"Examination in this case is also needed to continue to investigate the alleged possibility of other parties having a central role in the alleged corruption crime," Budi told reporters in a written statement, Thursday, March 26.
In the case of corruption in the haj quota, the KPK has only detained two suspects, namely Yaqut and the former staff, specifically, Ishfah Abidal Azis. Both are suspected of making the state lose money based on the calculations of the Financial Audit Agency (BPK) because of the discretion in determining the haj quota which is not in accordance with the rules.
However, the Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, has also given a code to process the law of private parties who are suspected of being involved.
"We are waiting for information regarding the suspects from the private sector," he told reporters, quoted on Monday, March 16.
Asep at that time did not give further explanation about the private party in question. He only mentioned that the role of this figure had already been explained in the construction of the case that ensnared Yaqut and his subordinates.
Meanwhile, during the press conference for Yaqut's detention, Asep briefly mentioned the involvement of Fuad Hasan Masyhur as the boss of Maktour Travel. This entrepreneur once wrote a letter to Yaqut as the Board of Trustees of the Silaturahmi Forum of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Travel (SATHU).
This step was taken after the Saudi government provided an additional quota, which initially amounted to 8,000 to the Indonesian government in 2023.
"FHM as the Board of Trustees of the SATHU Forum sent a letter to the YCQ which aims to maximize the absorption of additional quotas," said Asep in a press conference at the KPK Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, March 12.
In addition, Fuad, who is the father-in-law of former Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo, also communicated with the former Director General of Haji and Umrah (PHU) Hilman Latief. The goal is the same, namely maximizing the absorption of additional Hajj quotas.
The communication, continued Asep, was carried out after the Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives with Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as the Minister of Religion in May 2023.
Furthermore, Asep also said that the Sathu Forum which was initiated by Fuad had met with Yaqut in November 2023. They asked to manage the special hajj quota of more than 9 percent.
"The meeting discussed, among others, the request of the SATHU Forum to manage additional special Hajj quotas of more than 8 percent."
Regarding the guerrilla carried out by Fuad, Asep said that the deepening was still being carried out. "Whether he received something, well, so far we are still investigating it, from 2023 and 2024," said Asep.
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