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๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Indonesia /Crime & Justice

KPK: Indictment Reveals Construction of Hajj Quota Corruption Case

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) believes the indictment reading is the first step in proving the corruption case regarding Hajj quota.
  • KPK stated that the indictment details alleged illegal actions by former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in distributing additional Hajj quotas.
  • The case involves allegations of improper distribution of additional Hajj quotas in 2024, deviating from the legal provisions of 92% for regular pilgrims and 8% for special pilgrims.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) views the reading of the indictment as a crucial initial step in unraveling the corruption case surrounding Hajj quotas. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo expressed optimism that the trial will expose the full construction of the case and identify all individuals involved.

We express our appreciation and thanks to the Central Jakarta District Court for holding this trial in an orderly manner and ensuring the transparency of the trial process so that we can all follow and observe the facts that emerge in each trial.

โ€” Budi PrasetyoKPK spokesperson expressing gratitude for the court's conduct during the Hajj quota corruption trial.

Speaking after the hearing for additional Hajj quotas for 2023-2024, with former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as the defendant, Prasetyo thanked the Central Jakarta District Court for a orderly and transparent proceeding. He noted that the indictment presented by the KPK prosecutors outlines Yaqut's alleged role in the distribution of additional Hajj quotas, which reportedly did not comply with existing regulations.

The construction of the case charged by the KPK prosecutors illustrates the alleged role of Yaqut in the process of distributing additional Hajj quotas which are considered not in accordance with statutory provisions.

โ€” Budi PrasetyoKPK spokesperson describing the core of the indictment against the former minister.

According to the KPK, the additional 20,000 Hajj quotas for 2024 were allegedly divided on a 50:50 basis, granting 10,000 quotas to special Hajj pilgrims and 10,000 to regular pilgrims. This deviates from the legal stipulation of 92% for regular pilgrims and 8% for special pilgrims. The KPK is also investigating the distribution of additional Hajj quotas in 2023, where Indonesia received 8,000 special Hajj quotas, which were then divided according to the 92%/8% rule.

So that from the 20 thousand additional Hajj quotas, they were divided 50 percent:50 percent, 10 thousand for special Hajj quotas and 10 thousand for regular Hajj quotas.

โ€” Budi PrasetyoKPK spokesperson detailing the alleged improper distribution of additional Hajj quotas.

Prasetyo highlighted that the investigation is exploring the possibility of initiatives and motives from Special Hajj Organizing Providers (PIHK) seeking greater profits when Indonesia received additional quotas in 2024. Regarding allegations of $271,500 (approximately Rp 4.8 billion) received by Yaqut, Prasetyo stated that the alleged flow of funds from PIHK to individuals within the Ministry of Religious Affairs was channeled through intermediaries. He urged the public to pay close attention to the prosecutor's detailed explanation in the upcoming trial sessions for a comprehensive understanding of the fund distribution process.

Regarding the alleged flow of money from PIHK parties to certain individuals in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, this was channeled through intermediaries, among others.

โ€” Budi PrasetyoKPK spokesperson addressing allegations of illicit fund transfers in the Hajj quota case.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.