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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Gus Alex Says Lawmakers Requested Money and VIP Facilities for Hajj Services

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Ishfah Abidal Azis, known as Gus Alex, testified in a case involving alleged corruption in additional Hajj quotas for 2023 and 2024.
  • He said three leaders of the House Commission VIII asked him to collect money again from catering providers.
  • He also alleged that 70 members of the Hajj Oversight Team sought access to a VIP facility and that 24 commission working-group members requested 3,000 riyals each, though he said he provided 1,500 riyals per person.

Ishfah Abidal Azis, known as Gus Alex, told a court that lawmakers sought money and special treatment connected to Hajj services. He gave the testimony during proceedings into alleged corruption involving additional Hajj quotas for 2023 and 2024.

Ishfah, who served as a special adviser to Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas from 2019 to 2024, said three leaders of House Commission VIII asked him to collect money again from catering providers.

He also said 70 members of the House Hajj Oversight Team requested access to Maktab 111, although they were not entitled to use it. Maktab 111 is a VIP service area in Mina for pilgrims, particularly those undertaking special, premium or furoda Hajj services.

Ishfah further alleged that 24 members of Commission VIII’s working group asked for 3,000 riyals per person. He said he agreed to provide 1,500 riyals for each person, describing the money as being for souvenirs.

About this summary

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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