Jakarta-Former Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas underwent questioning Tuesday by the nation’s anti-corruption agency regarding allegations of impropriety in the allocation of hajj pilgrimage quotas for 2023-2024. The investigation centers on the distribution of an additional 20,000 spots intended to shorten decades-long waiting lists for Indonesian citizens hoping to fulfill the Islamic religious obligation [[2]]. The case has sparked public debate over fairness and access, while the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has already seized assets in connection with the probe, estimating potential state losses of $63 million USD [[1]].
Jakarta –
Former Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas completed questioning by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Tuesday regarding alleged corruption in the allocation of hajj pilgrimage quotas for 2023-2024. The case centers on the distribution of an additional 20,000 hajj spots, a development that has drawn scrutiny over fairness and access to the religious journey.
Qoumas left the KPK building in South Jakarta at approximately 8:13 p.m. local time, after an eight-hour session that began around 11:46 a.m., according to reports.
“I have provided my statement to investigators. For details, please direct your questions to the investigators,” Qoumas told reporters as he departed.
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When asked about the specifics of the questioning, Qoumas offered a similar response, deferring to the KPK investigators for further information.
“Please ask the investigators directly. Please ask the investigators,” he repeated.
Qoumas arrived at the KPK headquarters around 11:43 a.m., wearing a brown shirt and black skullcap. He offered limited comment upon his arrival before entering the building for questioning.
The investigation stems from the allocation of the additional 20,000 hajj spots granted to Indonesia following lobbying efforts by then-President Joko Widodo to Saudi Arabia. The increase aimed to reduce the lengthy waiting lists – sometimes exceeding 20 years – for Indonesian citizens seeking to make the pilgrimage.
Initially, Indonesia was allocated 221,000 hajj slots for 2024. With the addition, the total rose to 241,000. However, the extra quota was divided equally between regular and special hajj packages, with 10,000 spots allocated to each.
This distribution has come under fire as Indonesian hajj law stipulates that special hajj quotas should not exceed 8% of the total. As a result, Indonesia ultimately utilized 213,320 slots for regular hajj pilgrims and 27,680 for special hajj pilgrims in 2024.
The KPK alleges that this policy resulted in approximately 8,400 regular hajj pilgrims who had been on the waiting list for more than 14 years being denied the opportunity to travel in 2024. The agency estimates potential state losses of Rp 1 trillion (approximately $63 million USD) in connection with the case and has seized assets, including property, vehicles, and U.S. dollars, as part of the investigation. KPK officials have been investigating the matter.
(ial/jbr)
