Gus Alex alleges Hajj catering fees were requested for 2024 elections

Ishfah Abidal Azis, known as Gus Alex, a former special staffer to the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, has provided testimony in a corruption trial regarding the management of Hajj services.

During court proceedings in Jakarta, Gus Alex alleged that Marwan Dasopang, Chairman of Commission VIII of the DPR, requested that he arrange winning providers for Hajj catering services for the 2024 season. He claimed that once winners were determined, a fee was to be collected to fund the 2024 elections. He also mentioned requests for “date money” and “prayer mat money” for members of a parliamentary working committee visiting Saudi Arabia.

Gus Alex further testified regarding an alleged USD 1 million sum intended for the 2024 Hajj Special Committee (Pansus Haji). He claimed that USD 400,000 of that amount was prepared through various sources, including funds from the Chairman of the Kesthuri Association and money borrowed by another special staffer. He expressed his belief that the funds reached Nusron Wahid, who was serving as the Chairman of the Hajj Special Committee at the time, via intermediaries.