Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed on Monday (15/9/2025) that preacher and travel agency owner Khalid Zeed Abdullah Basalamah has returned funds linked to the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in the allocation of Hajj quotas.

“It’s true,” KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto said, while clarifying that the exact amount repaid by the preacher has not yet been verified.

Basalamah, who runs Uhud Tour and chairs the Majelis Utama Travel Indonesia Arahan Haji dan Umrah (Mutiara Haji), earlier admitted in a YouTube interview that he returned money after KPK requested it. 

He had described paying thousands of dollars per pilgrim for “special visas” tied to an additional 20,000 Hajj slots from Saudi Arabia, later realizing extra charges were deemed improper fees.

The KPK launched the probe in August 2025 after questioning former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. The audit body (BPK) estimates potential state losses at more than Rp 1 trillion (US$65 million).

(mg/inp/pr/rs)