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4 clusters · 8 sources · 14 days · First seen · Last updated

Indonesian Hajj quota corruption trial

Overview

Former Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Quomas is facing a corruption trial in the Jakarta Corruption Court regarding the management of additional Hajj quotas for the 2023–2024 period. The case involves allegations of state losses totaling approximately Rp622 billion.

During court proceedings, Mahmud Muchtar Syarif, CEO of PT Almuchtar Tour and Travel, testified that fees ranging from $5,000 to $6,000 per person were paid to a former ministry employee, Ridwan Kurniawan, to smuggle pilgrims into official quotas. Specifically, Syarif testified that 28 individuals were processed in 2023 at $6,000 per person, and 37 pilgrims were processed in 2024 at $5,000 per person.

Yaqut Cholil Quomas has denied all allegations, including claims that he received $271,500 in illicit funds. He has raised concerns regarding the credibility of the investigation, noting that at least nine witnesses have reportedly retracted or changed their statements within a five-week period.

In response to the legal proceedings, dozens of senior Islamic scholars (kiai) gathered at the Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School in Kediri, East Java, to pray for Quomas. Organized by his family, the gathering included representatives from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). Spokesperson KH Muhibbul Aman Aly expressed concern over the Indonesian legal system, citing a “significant discrepancy between the indictments and the facts presented during the trial.”

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has responded to calls from NU clerics for Quomas to receive an abolition by urging the public to respect the ongoing legal process. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo emphasized that witness testimonies remain crucial to uncovering the scope of the alleged irregularities.

Entities

Yaqut Cholil Qoumas · Nahdlatul Ulama · Central Corruption Court · Central Jakarta District Court · Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 2 sources
    KPK focuses on proving corruption allegations against Yaqut Cholil Qoumas

    The KPK is prioritizing the evidentiary process in the corruption trial of former Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas regarding Hajj quota mismanagement, despite calls for abolition from NU clerics.

  2. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Religious leaders gather at Lirboyo Pesantren to support Yaqut Cholil Qoumas

    Senior religious leaders met at Lirboyo Pesantren to support former Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, calling for justice in his ongoing Hajj quota corruption trial.

  3. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Yaqut Cholil Qoumas denies Hajj quota corruption allegations

    Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas denied receiving illegal fees or ordering fund collections regarding the 2024 Hajj quota during a corruption court hearing in Jakarta.

  4. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Yaqut Cholil Quomas faces Hajj quota corruption trial

    Former Indonesian Minister Yaqut Cholil Quomas faces corruption charges over Hajj quota mismanagement. Testimony suggests travel agency fees were paid to smuggle pilgrims into official quotas.

Sources

beritakediri.com · daerah.sindonews.com · gelora.co · inews.id · jawapos.com · jpnn.com · nasional.sindonews.com · senggang.republika.co.id

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history