KPK Tiered Pilgrimage Quota Funds Flow – Minister Update

Pilgrimage Quota Corruption Reaches Highest Levels of Ministry of ‌Religion,⁢ KPK⁣ Says

JAKARTA, september⁢ 11, 2025 ‌ – The Corruption Eradication⁤ Commission (KPK) has revealed a disturbing pattern in the 2024 pilgrimage quota corruption case, ⁤indicating ‌that funds illicitly obtained ‌through the buying and selling of quotas flowed through intermediaries ⁢to the‌ highest echelons of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag), potentially reaching the Minister of Religion himself.

“In the ministry, the end is the minister,” stated ‍Asep Guntur Rahayu, Acting Deputy for Enforcement and ⁢Execution at the KPK, on Wednesday‍ at the KPK’s Red ​and White Building in Jakarta. While Asep refrained‍ from explicitly ​naming the minister or ⁣other “top leadership” involved in benefiting from the ⁣corrupt funds, he implied ‍their involvement. Yaqut Cholil Qouumas served ⁣as ‍Minister ‍of ⁣Religion at the time of the alleged ​offenses and has been questioned​ by the KPK.

Asep explained that high-ranking officials frequently enough‍ have their needs managed⁣ by close aides, such as special staff or assistants. While these officials may not directly receive the money, they still participate in enjoying the illicit gains. “Like that.So ⁢the problem of receiving ​directly and others, we will be one of the ingredients for ‍us to prove that. That is one ⁤of them,” he said.

The‌ KPK’s​ investigation has uncovered a tiered scheme⁤ where funds⁣ from travel agents, estimated at $2,600 to $7,000 per hajj quota, were funneled to Ministry of Religion officials ⁢through relatives⁣ and expert​ staff. “so it is indeed not⁢ directly from travel agent It was to⁢ the top leadership ⁤in the Ministry​ of Religion. But in stages through ⁣the ‍person, ⁢there‍ are those who go through the relatives of the ‌officials, ⁤then‍ there is ‌also through the expert staff and others,” Asep said.

The KPK has learned that those‍ facilitating the flow of⁤ funds also ​received a cut,⁢ with some of the money being used ⁣to acquire assets ⁤such as houses and vehicles. “Each of these people, then gets their ⁢own parts.So we are collecting the⁣ money,which even though it ⁢has now become a home,has ​become a ​vehicle,and others,we do confiscation,” Asep stated.

The KPK has indicated that⁤ it will soon name‍ suspects in the Hajj quota case. ⁣The investigation is⁤ ongoing, and the ‌KPK is committed to‌ uncovering the‌ full extent of the corruption and‍ holding those responsible accountable.