JustUpdateOnline.com – JAKARTA, The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has officially designated the former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, as a suspect in a high-profile corruption case. The investigation centers on allegations of misconduct regarding the distribution of Hajj quotas during the 2023–2024 period. This legal development was formalized through an investigation warrant issued by the anti-graft agency in early January 2026.
Budi Prasetyo, the spokesperson for the KPK, confirmed that the agency has moved forward with the suspect designation. While the status of the former minister has been clarified, the KPK has not yet disclosed the total number of individuals involved in this specific case. As of the latest reports, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has not provided an official public statement regarding the allegations.
The investigation has seen a wide range of individuals summoned for questioning. Among those interviewed by investigators are the Director General of Hajj and Umrah, Hilman Latief, as well as close associates of the former minister, including Ishfah Abidal Aziz and Syarif Hamzah Asyathry. Furthermore, the probe has extended to the private sector, with several owners of prominent Hajj and Umrah travel agencies being called in to provide testimony.
Allegations of Quota Manipulation and Illegal Fees
The core of the investigation revolves around the 20,000 additional Hajj slots granted by the Saudi Arabian government to Indonesia in 2023. According to official state regulations, the special Hajj quota is strictly limited to 8% of the national total. However, the KPK alleges that an internal agreement was made to bypass these rules, splitting the extra quota equally—50% for special Hajj and 50% for regular Hajj.
Authorities suspect that this redistribution was motivated by financial gain. Investigators have uncovered evidence suggesting that various travel agencies paid illicit fees to secure these additional spots. These payments reportedly ranged from USD $2,600 to $7,000 per slot, depending on the size of the travel bureau. It is believed that these funds were collected via Hajj associations before being distributed to officials within the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Initial audits suggest that the financial damage to the state could exceed Rp 1 trillion. In a move to recover state assets, the KPK has already confiscated two residential properties, valued at roughly Rp 6.5 billion, belonging to civil servants within the Ministry’s Hajj directorate. Prior to being named a suspect, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas had been questioned by the KPK on two separate occasions during the preliminary stages of the investigation.