Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that two associations of Hajj travel agencies were involved in an alleged corruption case concerning the allocation and organization of the 2023–2024 Hajj pilgrimage.

“There are two, or maybe three associations… two, if I’m not mistaken,” said KPK Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu at KPK headquarters on Thursday (14/8/2025), as reported by antaranews.com.

He said that member agencies of these associations coordinated with Ministry of Religious Affairs officials to divide an additional 20,000 Hajj quotas equally, consisting of 50 percent for regular pilgrims and 50 percent for special pilgrims, through the associations. Distribution, however, was uneven, with larger agencies receiving more slots.

The investigation began on 9 August 2025, shortly after former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was questioned. Early state loss estimates exceed Rp 1 trillion, and the former minister is among three persons banned from overseas travel.

The House of Representatives (DPR)’ special committee on Hajj has also flagged legal violations in quota distribution, which under the law should be 92% regular and only 8% special pilgrims.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)