ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — The alleged corruption scandal over Indonesia’s 2023–2024 hajj quota is revealing new layers of complexity.
After the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as a suspect, the case has begun to extend beyond the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is now emerging in the public narrative, both in KPK’s case construction and political commentary from public figures.
Calls for KPK to summon Jokowi as a witness have intensified. Criminal law expert Abdul Fickar Hadjar from Trisakti University stated that such a hearing is essential to clarify the role of key actors in the case, which is estimated to have caused state losses of up to IDR 1 trillion (~USD 66 million).
“If Jokowi’s name appears in the series of cases, KPK must summon and examine him. The principle of equality before the law must be upheld without exception,” Fickar told on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Fickar emphasized that the investigation should not stop at lower-level officials. The facts related to the controversial allocation of additional hajj quotas, power dynamics, and political maneuvers during the Special Committee on Hajj in the House of Representatives must be legally examined.
High-Level Meetings and Additional Quotas
According to KPK, the case originated from Jokowi’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in late 2023. The discussions focused on Indonesia’s long hajj waiting lists, which later resulted in an extra 20,000 hajj quota for Indonesia.
While the additional quota was officially allocated to the country, former Minister Yaqut divided it equally: 10,000 for regular hajj and 10,000 for special hajj, violating Law No. 8 of 2019, which stipulates a 92% allocation for regular hajj and 8% for special hajj.
KPK suspects that several travel agencies profited from the special hajj quota allocation, with money allegedly flowing to certain Ministry officials, including Yaqut and his former special staff Ishfah Abidal Aziz (Gus Alex), both now named as suspects.
Political Operation Allegations
Beyond KPK’s legal case, Islah Bahrawi, Executive Director of the Indonesian Moderate Network, highlighted political dimensions of the scandal in the Akbar Faizal Uncensored podcast, citing information directly from Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
Islah stated that during Jokowi’s 2023 visit to Saudi Arabia, Yaqut was excluded from the initial discussions on additional hajj quotas.
“Yaqut said Indonesia got 20,000 extra quotas from MBS, but he wasn’t involved. The president invited Dito Ariotedjo instead,” Islah said.
Islah also noted the presence of Dito Ariotedjo and Erick Thohir, pointing to Dito’s connection with Maktour travel agency owner Fuad Hasan Masyhur, allegedly linked to the special hajj quota distribution.
Parliamentary Committee and Avoidance Maneuvers
Islah revealed that during scrutiny by the House of Representatives Special Committee on Hajj, Jokowi reportedly assigned Yaqut to replace Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto at the World Peace Conference in France, prolonging the trip from three to 24 days.
“He was sent around Europe. If he returned, the Committee would summon him. The time was extended until the Committee’s term ended,” Islah explained.
PBNU Target Allegations
Islah further suggested that the main target in the hajj quota controversy was not Yaqut but Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf (Gus Yahya).
He alleged Gus Yahya was targeted because he could not be controlled by Jokowi’s inner circle within PBNU.
“Gus Yahya couldn’t be controlled by Jokowi’s group in PBNU. So he had to be neutralized,” Islah said.
He also claimed alleged threats to Gus Yahya, linking Yaqut’s safety to political leverage over the PBNU chairman.
“If you want your brother safe, you have to step down. That’s pressure, that’s bargaining,” Islah stated.
KPK’s Independence Questioned
Islah criticized KPK’s independence, claiming the anti-corruption body has lost autonomy following the 2019 KPK Law amendments and the appointment of the 6th commission leadership at the end of Jokowi’s term.
“The KPK Law has been changed. Before Jokowi left office, the commissioners were already appointed. KPK is no longer fully independent,” Islah asserted.
Test of Legal Enforcement
Meanwhile, KPK has confirmed that the legal process is ongoing, and the case may expand if sufficient initial evidence is found. Experts view summoning Jokowi as a witness as a crucial step to ensure law enforcement operates without bias.
With the former president’s name now rolling into the scandal, alleged political operations, and the state’s substantial financial losses, the hajj quota case has evolved into a national controversy, testing both KPK’s integrity and the intersection of power, religion, and money in Indonesian politics. (AT Network)
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