Hajj quota hearing: witness cites US$4,500 fee for Kemenag 'second floor'
Another witness said expedited-fee payments from 36 2024 pilgrims totaled US$90,000 and were turned over to the KPK.
The Jakarta Corruption Court hearing on allegations of corruption in the 2023-2024 additional Hajj quota uncovered alleged flows of expedited-departure fees for pilgrims. Ibnu Mas'ud, commissioner of PT Muhibbah Mulia Wisata, testified that Ridwan Kurniawan once mentioned a US$4,500 fee per pilgrim for the T0 category, which was said to be intended for the “second floor” of the Ministry of Religious Affairs office. Ibnu said Ridwan did not name the recipient, the position, or the qualifications. In the same hearing, Syam Resfiadi, director of Patuna Travel, said expedited fees from 36 2024 Hajj pilgrims totaled US$90,000, or US$2,500 per person after a commitment fee deduction, and that the money had been returned to the KPK. The case involves four defendants, including former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, and carries an alleged state loss of Rp622,09 miliar according to the BPK.