January 9, 2026 | 05:34 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Along with former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) also named Ishfah Abidal Aziz, or Gus Alex, a suspect in an alleged corruption case regarding hajj quota management on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
"The KPK has designated two individuals as suspects: the first is YCS, as the former Minister of Religious Affairs, and the second is IAA, as the special staff of the Minister at that time," said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo at the Merah Putih Building, South Jakarta, on Friday, January 9, 2026.
The designation relates to alleged corruption resulting in state financial losses, as stipulated in Article 2 and Article 3 of the Anti-Corruption Law.
Budi stated that the Financial Audit Agency (BPK) is still calculating the state losses incurred. The KPK declared that the investigation remains ongoing.
Investigators are conducting examinations and confiscating evidence, including from Special Hajj Organizers (PIHK) or travel agencies. These steps aim to optimize the recovery of state assets.
At the same time, the KPK appreciates parties that have cooperated with summons, provided information, and returned evidence, including money subsequently confiscated by investigators.
The KPK also urges PIHK, travel agencies, and related associations to cooperate, especially in returning funds believed to be linked to the investigation.
The alleged corruption stems from the management of an additional hajj quota of 20,000 pilgrims granted by the Saudi Arabian Government to reduce the regular hajj queue. However, the Ministry of Religious Affairs allegedly divided the quota into 10,000 for regular hajj and 10,000 for special hajj.
This policy is alleged to contradict legal provisions and cause financial losses to the state.
In developing the case, the KPK is tracing the flow of alleged bribe funds for the 2024 hajj quota based on testimony. Investigators suspect funds flowed from the management of the additional quota, which was allegedly sold between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and travel agencies.
Prior to this, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was questioned by KPK investigators and chose not to disclose details of the interrogation. His counsel, Mellissa Anggraini, stated that Yaqut was interrogated as a witness. The KPK has questioned Yaqut twice during the investigation.
The Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, mentioned suspicions that bribery funds for the 2024 hajj quota reached high-ranking officials at the Ministry of Religion. To trace these funds, the KPK is coordinating with the Financial Transactions Reports and Analysis Center for a comprehensive transaction audit.
Read: Former Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Named Suspect in Hajj Quota Corruption Case
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