Indonesia's former Religious Affairs Minister questions KPK's Rp622 billion state loss calculation

Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has challenged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to transparently reveal its methodology for calculating state losses at Rp622 billion in the alleged hajj quota corruption case. Yaqut, who served as minister from 2020 to 2024, is facing charges related to the management and distribution of additional hajj quotas for 2023-2024. During a hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court, Yaqut insisted the KPK must prove how state finances were diminished and the specific method behind the Rp622 billion figure. "I think the state losses must also be revealed, clearly and brightly," Yaqut stated after the hearing on Tuesday. He expressed doubt about the KPK's calculation process, emphasizing that the alleged reduction in state funds needs clear justification. "It cannot just be declared state losses of Rp622 billion without a clear method, and then which state money was reduced from this hajj quota distribution process and so on. This must be proven brightly," he urged. Furthermore, Yaqut criticized the KPK's indictment, deeming it imprecise and incomplete. He argued that prosecutors conflated ministerial policy with technical decisions that should fall under the purview of a directorate general. "Ministerial policy is mixed with technical policy that should be the domain of the directorate general. So, it is directed to become the minister's mistake, is that right? Even though it shouldn't be like that," Yaqut remarked.