Indonesia's KPK Investigates Former Minister in Hajj Quota Corruption Scandal

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is actively investigating a corruption case linked to the allocation of Hajj pilgrimage quotas. The probe has led to the questioning of a notary and land official, Silvia Oktaviani, as a witness.

The investigation targets former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and his special staffer, Ishfah Abidal Aziz, who were named suspects in January 2026. Also implicated are Ismail Adham, operational director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), and Asrul Azis Taba, commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and head of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Tour Travel Kesthuri.

Investigators allege that the suspects manipulated the distribution of additional special Hajj quotas, exceeding the government-mandated 8 percent. This practice allegedly involved financial transactions with state officials. The case stems from a meeting where the accused sought additional quotas from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which had secured an extra 20,000 Hajj slots for Indonesia in 2024.

According to the KPK, the accused arranged the distribution of these additional quotas among travel agencies affiliated with Maktour and Asrul's network. This allegedly resulted in illicit profits of approximately Rp 27.8 billion for Maktour and Rp 40.8 billion for eight other Hajj operators. The KPK is examining the flow of funds, including alleged payments made by Ismail Adham and Asrul Azis Taba to ministry officials.