August 13, 2025 | 09:49 am
The case of hajj quota corruption in Indonesia has entered a new phase after the former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil was questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The KPK has escalated the case to the investigation level after questioning Yaqut.
In addition to Yaqut, the KPK has interrogated several individuals in this case. Starting from the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Services (PHU) Hilman Latief, Head of the Hajj Fund Management Agency (BPKH) Fadlul Imansyah, to preacher Khalid Basalamah. Here are the alleged roles of each person involved.
1. Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil
Yaqut was interrogated by the KPK for five hours regarding alleged deviations in the hajj quota for 2024. He arrived at the anti-corruption agency's office on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 09:30 AM and finally left the KPK interrogation room at 02:18 PM. When leaving the KPK building, he was accompanied by his spokesperson, Anna Hasbie.
Yaqut refused to comment on the alleged order from former President Jokowi regarding the request for additional hajj quota. During Yaqut's term as Minister of Religious Affairs, the Indonesian government negotiated an increase in the hajj quota to Saudi Arabia.
"I will not apologize," he said on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
2. PHU Director General Hilman Latif
The KPK is delving into the statements of the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Services (PHU) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Hilman Latief, in the case of alleged corruption in the 2024 hajj quota. Latief was interrogated by the anti-corruption agency on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
"The person concerned was asked for statements and this case is still in the investigation stage," KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said at the KPK headquarters in South Jakarta on Tuesday.
He refused to provide more detailed information about Latief's status in this case due to the ongoing investigation into the hajj quota corruption allegations. Budi stated that the KPK is completing the construction of this problem to move it to the investigation stage. "We will provide updates if we proceed to the investigation stage," he said.
3. BPKH Head Fadlul Imansyah
The KPK questioned the Head of BPKH, Fadlul Imansyah, regarding the alleged corruption in the hajj quota today, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Fadlul left the KPK headquarters in South Jakarta at 07:25 PM Western Indonesia Time (WIB).
"Yes, he was questioned regarding the hajj quota case," KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo told reporters on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
Fadlul claimed that he had provided all the necessary information to the KPK. He stated that his presence to give this information was part of BPKH's commitment to contribute to law enforcement.
"Hopefully, this is part of our commitment, BPKH, to uphold the law in accordance with existing regulations and laws," Fadlul said at the KPK headquarters.
4. Preacher Khalid Basalamah
The KPK also questioned the famous preacher and owner of a hajj and umrah travel agency, Khalid Basalamah, in the investigation of the alleged 2025 hajj quota corruption.
"Yes, he was questioned, asked for information regarding the hajj case and he was cooperative," Budi said at the KPK headquarters on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Budi explained that Khalid's interrogation was to obtain information about his knowledge of hajj management. Budi did not disclose Khalid's status in the case. When asked whether he was considered an expert witness or as the owner of the umrah and hajj agency, Budi only stated that the preacher was questioned for the investigation.
"Basically, he was asked for information by the team regarding the alleged hajj quota corruption case. So, every information and statement provided is very much needed by the KPK team to untangle this case," Budi said at the KPK headquarters on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
After being the subject of discussion, Khalid explained his summons via a video talk show posted on his personal YouTube channel. The video contained a Q&A on Khalid's response to the news of being summoned by the KPK in the alleged 2025 hajj quota corruption case.
According to him, when the KPK asked him to comply with the summons, he came as a form of obedience to the government as well as his obligation. However, he stressed that he came not as a suspect.
"If one is a suspect, it's not like this, [you] already know what to wear at the KPK, right, if [you're] a suspect?" Khalid Basalamah continued. "I was invited to come, and I am an obedient Indonesian citizen, especially our concept is to obey the government, we came."
"I am not the Minister of Religious Affairs, I am not a former Minister of Religious Affairs, I am not a staff at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, who manages all this. I have no relation," said the man born in Ujung Pandang, South Sulawesi.
M. Rizki Yusrial, M. Raihan Muzzaki, and Hendrik Khoirul Muhid contributed to this article.
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