Former Yaqut Aide Admits Receiving $85,000 From Pesona Mozaik Travel Company

Ishfah Abidal Azis, a former special aide to Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, told a Jakarta court that he received $85,000 from Pesona Mozaik travel company staffer Nur Faidzin.

Ishfah, also known as Gus Alex, is a defendant in the alleged corruption case involving additional hajj quotas for 2023 and 2024. He made the admission during a hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court’s Corruption Court, which continued into the early hours of Friday, September 4.

The payments came in two stages. Ishfah said he received $45,000 at his home in Sawangan, Depok, West Java, hidden inside a package of dates delivered by a man named Muis, described as his senior. Of that amount, $10,000 was placed in a separate envelope for Rizky Fisa Abadi, a former head of the Religious Affairs Ministry’s subdivision for licensing, accreditation and the administration of special hajj services.

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The witness brought dates wrapped up. Inside there was money in rupiah and dollars. What I remember was $45,000, with $35,000 separated and $10,000 in a separate envelope. The person who handed it to me was Muis, correct?

Ishfah said he later summoned Rizky to his home and handed over the money. Faidzin told the court that Pesona Mozaik gave the payment as a thank-you for being able to manage special hajj quotas and send pilgrims to Islam’s holy sites. He said the money was offered on the travel company’s initiative, not requested by Ishfah.

The second payment, $40,000, was made near Ishfah’s home while he was leaving to attend a wedding. Ishfah said the total he personally received was $75,000 after excluding the $10,000 intended for Rizky, and that he returned the $75,000 to a KPK holding account before authorities designated him a suspect.

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Correct.