Jakarta, Indonesia - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed Wednesday that travel agents seeking Hajj pilgrimage quotas were allegedly pressured to provide funds outside of official channels, with those refusing facing difficulty securing allocations-including additional quotas-from the Ministry of Religion.
According to Asep Guntur Rahayu, the Acting Deputy for Action and Execution at the KPK, the practice constitutes an “arbitrary act.” he stated that travel agents are heavily reliant on the Ministry of Religion for Hajj quota access.”There are requests, even outside [official procedures], because this agent, travel agent, in the context he really depends on the Ministry of Religion to get a quota, so,” Rahayu told reporters.
The alleged scheme has broader financial implications, diverting funds that should be managed by the government for regular Hajj pilgrims. The KPK estimates that of a 20,000-person Hajj quota,18,400 should be managed by the state through the hajj Fund Management Agency (BPKH) to subsidize costs for regular pilgrims.instead, a significant portion is being channeled through special pathways via travel agents, with pilgrims departing promptly after payment, bypassing government management and resulting in lost potential profits for the state.
The KPK is currently investigating the matter but has not yet named any suspects. The agency indicated the investigation is ongoing and aims to address the financial losses and ensure equitable access to Hajj pilgrimage opportunities. The findings were reported on October 9, 2025.
