Jakarta – Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed the involvement of Fuad Hasan Masyhur, the owner of travel company Maktour Travel, in a corruption case surrounding hajj quotas that implicates former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. The investigation centers on allegations that Maktour Travel sought to secure special hajj quotas from additional allocations received by Indonesia during the 2023-2024 period.
According to KPK Deputy for Prosecution and Execution, Asep Guntur Rahayu, the issue of allocating additional hajj quotas in 2023 began with a letter from Fuad, in his capacity as Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Forum for Silaturahmi of Hajj and Umrah Travel Associations (SATHU). This letter requested that travel companies be granted a portion of the additional 8,000 hajj quotas allocated to Indonesia for regular pilgrims. The aim was to maximize the utilization of these additional slots.
Even though, Fuad reportedly argued that travel associations could more effectively utilize the additional quotas by requesting the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) to allocate them for special hajj packages. This resulted in the 8,000 additional quotas being divided with a ratio of 92% for regular hajj and 8% for special hajj. “FHM then communicated with Hilman Latief (HL), Director General of Hajj and Umrah (PHU), regarding the SATHU Forum’s letter, stating that the Forum was prepared to maximize the absorption of the additional quota,” Asep explained during a press conference in South Jakarta on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Hilman Latief subsequently proposed to Yaqut Cholil Qoumas that the additional hajj quota be divided into 92% for regular hajj and 8% for special hajj, a proposal that differed from conclusions reached during a parliamentary session. Yaqut then approved the proposal, issuing a Ministerial Decree (KMA) number 467 of 2023 on May 19, 2023, establishing the allocation of the additional 2023 hajj quota with a composition of 7,360 for regular hajj and 640 for special hajj.
The proposal, initially stemming from Fuad’s request, was ultimately approved by the Indonesian Parliament (DPR). Following this approval, Yaqut, through his former Special Staff (Stafsus) Ishfah Abidal Aziz (IAA), also known as Gus Alex, promptly issued a Director General of PHU decree in 2023. This decree was drafted by Rizky Fisa Abadi (RFA), the former Head of Sub-Directorate for Licensing, Accreditation, and Fostering of Special Hajj Affairs at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
However, Gus Alex allegedly instructed Rizky to relax policies regarding applicants for special hajj, allowing them to depart in the same year of registration without being subject to the usual waiting list. He also reportedly ordered Rizky to collect “acceleration fees” from PIHK (organizers of special hajj packages) for filling the additional special hajj quota, amounting to USD 5,000 (approximately Rp 84.4 million) per pilgrim. “One way to achieve this was by converting visa mujamalah pilgrims into special hajj pilgrims,” Asep stated.
In 2024, a similar pattern allegedly continued, with Yaqut accommodating requests for additional quotas for special hajj, again at the behest of Fuad Hasan. The two reportedly met in November 2023 with several leaders of PIHK associations. “The meeting discussed, among other things, the SATHU Forum’s request to manage more than 8% of the additional special hajj quota,” Asep explained.
Following this meeting, Yaqut reportedly communicated to Hilman Latief his desire to divide the additional 20,000 quota into a 50:50 split, allocating 10,000 for special hajj and 10,000 for regular hajj. “YCQ also asked HL to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the proposal for an additional quota with a 50:50 scheme. YCQ ordered a simulation to be conducted to justify or support the change in the composition of the additional quota to 10,000 for regular hajj and 10,000 for special hajj,” Asep added.
Asep further stated that Yaqut allegedly received fees for the 2023 and 2024 hajj seasons, following agreements on the allocation and expedited departure of special hajj pilgrims without adhering to the waiting list. For the 2023 hajj season, the acceleration fee from PIHK for filling the additional special hajj quota was USD 5,000 (Rp 84.4 million) per pilgrim, achieved in part by converting visa mujamalah pilgrims into special hajj pilgrims. “Based on the KPK investigation team’s findings, RFA also provided these acceleration fees to YCQ, IAA, and several officials at the Ministry of Religious Affairs,” Asep said.
For the 2024 season, the fee was reportedly agreed upon at USD 2,000 (approximately Rp 33.8 million) per pilgrim, with payments and collections occurring between February and June 2024.
The investigation into the hajj quota corruption case continues, with authorities examining the financial flows and the extent of involvement of other individuals. The KPK’s findings suggest a systematic effort to manipulate the hajj quota allocation process for personal gain, raising serious questions about transparency and accountability within the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The case highlights the ongoing challenges Indonesia faces in combating corruption and ensuring fairness in the administration of religious pilgrimages.
As the investigation progresses, further details regarding the alleged scheme and the roles of other individuals involved are expected to emerge. The KPK has stated its commitment to pursuing all leads and bringing those responsible to justice. The outcome of this case will likely have significant implications for the future management of hajj quotas and the integrity of the pilgrimage process in Indonesia.
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