Hajj Quota Distribution Was Indonesia-Saudi Agreement, Says Yaqut's Lawyer
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
News
Sources not specified
In the courts
- The lawyer for former Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas stated that the distribution of additional Hajj quotas for 2023-2024 was an agreement between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
- The lawyer emphasized that Indonesia cannot unilaterally decide on Hajj quota allocations, especially for additional quotas, as Saudi Arabia determines the overall Hajj arrangements.
- This statement follows Yaqut's trial for alleged state financial losses amounting to Rp622 billion in the case of additional Hajj quotas.
The legal representative for former Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has clarified the contentious distribution of additional Hajj quotas for 2023-2024. Mellisa Anggraini, Yaqut's lawyer, asserted that the allocation was a mutual agreement between the Indonesian government and Saudi Arabia.
Indonesia cannot decide on its own how many numbers must be configured for the quota distribution, especially the additional quota.
Anggraini stressed that Indonesia lacks the authority to unilaterally determine Hajj quota numbers, particularly for supplementary quotas. "Indonesia cannot decide on its own how many numbers must be configured for the quota distribution, especially the additional quota," she stated at the Central Jakarta District Court. She explained that such decisions are contingent on Saudi Arabia's determination, as the Kingdom oversees all Hajj arrangements within its territory.
The agreement, which reportedly divides the additional Hajj quota 50:50 between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, is documented in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU was signed by Yaqut and the Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj on January 8, 2024, according to Anggraini.
It must be based on Saudi agreement, because why? Because Saudi is the one who will determine the entire Hajj organization in Saudi.
Yaqut is currently facing legal proceedings, accused of causing state financial losses totaling Rp622.09 billion in the alleged corruption case involving the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota. Prosecutors allege that Yaqut, along with three other defendants, Ishfah Abidal Azis (Yaqut's special staff), Ismail Adham (Maktour Operations Director), and Asrul Azis Taba (Chairman of Asosiasi Kesthuri and Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama), engaged in unlawful acts to accommodate requests from the Association of Hajj and Umrah Travel Agencies (PIHK). The reported state financial loss figure is based on an investigative audit by the Indonesian Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).
Based on and stipulated in the MoU dated January 8, 2024.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
