JAKARTA: Former Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (pic) has been named a suspect in an alleged corruption case related to the haj quota.
The matter was confirmed by Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Deputy Chair Fitroh Rohcahyanto on Friday (Jan 9), Antara News Agency reported.
However, Fitroh did not provide further details on the list of suspects or whether Yaqut was the sole individual implicated in the investigation.
According to Antara, the KPK on Aug 29, 2025 launched an investigation into the alleged haj quota corruption case. Following initial investigation, potential state losses were estimated to be over one trillion rupiah (US$59.4 million).
Three individuals have also been banned from travelling abroad for the next six months, including Yaqut. The other two are Ishfah Abidal Aziz, also known as Gus Alex, a former special staff member under Yaqut, and Fuad Hasan Masyhur, the owner of Maktour Hajj travel agency.
As of Sept 18, 2025, the KPK had identified 13 associations and 400 haj travel agencies suspected of involvement in the case. - BERNAMA
