Former Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, widely known as Gus Yaqut, has vehemently denied allegations of receiving USD 30,000. This sum is purportedly part of a larger financial flow linked to an alleged corruption case involving the manipulation of hajj quota arrangements, a scandal currently under intense scrutiny.
Gus Yaqut issued his firm denial following an extensive questioning session at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) headquarters in Jakarta, known as the Merah Putih Building, on Tuesday, March 31st. “There’s none,” Gus Yaqut stated unequivocally, addressing reporters after his appearance before the anti-graft body.
The specific mention of the USD 30,000 payment was made public by the KPK during their announcement of new suspects in the burgeoning hajj quota case. Among these newly named individuals is Ismail Adham, the Operational Director of Maktour, a prominent travel agency.
According to KPK investigations, Ismail Adham, alongside Fuad Hasan Masyhur, who serves as the Board of Trustees for the SATHU Forum, and other undisclosed parties, allegedly held meetings with Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, then the Minister of Religious Affairs, and his special staff, Ishfah Abidal Aziz (also known as Gus Alex). The purpose of these meetings was reportedly to request an increase in the special hajj quota. Subsequently, the allocation of both regular and special hajj quotas was adjusted to a 50%-50% scheme.
The anti-corruption commission suspects that these additional special hajj quotas were then illicitly distributed to companies affiliated with Maktour. This distribution allegedly included expedited departure schemes, allowing pilgrims to depart within the same year, a highly coveted arrangement.
Furthermore, the KPK revealed that the provision of these additional special hajj quotas was allegedly accompanied by monetary payments. Ismail Adham is suspected of disbursing USD 30,000 to Gus Alex. Additionally, he allegedly provided USD 5,000 and SAR 16,000 to Hilman Latief, the Director General for Hajj and Umrah Management.
Another individual recently implicated by the KPK is Asrul Azis Taba, who holds positions as Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and Chairman of the Kesthuri Association. Asrul is alleged to have funneled a significant sum of USD 406,000 to Gus Alex. The commission further indicated that, as a result of these alleged payments, eight Special Hajj Pilgrimage Organizers (PIHKs) associated with Asrul Azis Taba purportedly amassed illegal profits totaling IDR 40.8 billion in 2024.
Crucially, the KPK has suggested that the payments made by Ismail Adham to Gus Alex and Hilman Latief were intended as a representation of, or on behalf of, Gus Yaqut.
As the investigation into this alleged hajj quota corruption scandal deepens, neither Ismail Adham nor Asrul Azis Taba have issued statements regarding their designation as suspects. Similarly, Hilman Latief has refrained from commenting on the KPK’s detailed accusations concerning the alleged money transfers. PT Maktour has also not yet provided any response regarding the allegations of illegal profits attributed to its affiliated entities.
Summary
Former Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, known as Gus Yaqut, has vehemently denied receiving USD 30,000. This sum is purportedly linked to an alleged corruption case involving the manipulation of Hajj quota arrangements. Gus Yaqut issued his firm denial after extensive questioning at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) headquarters. The KPK has suggested that payments made to his special staff, Gus Alex, were intended on behalf of Gus Yaqut.
The alleged scheme involved adjusting Hajj quotas and illicitly distributing additional special quotas to affiliated companies for expedited departures. The KPK announced new suspects, including Ismail Adham, who allegedly disbursed USD 30,000 to Gus Alex, and Asrul Azis Taba, who purportedly funneled USD 406,000 to Gus Alex. Other payments were reportedly made to Hilman Latief, the Director General for Hajj and Umrah Management. Companies associated with Asrul Azis Taba allegedly amassed illegal profits totaling IDR 40.8 billion.