KPK Receives Funds from Khalid Basalamah in Hajj Quota Inquiry
Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed receiving funds from khalid Basalamah, owner of a Hajj travel agency, as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the 2024 Hajj quota. The amount received represents a refund related to the allocation of the additional Hajj quota.
The case centers on the distribution of an additional 20,000 Hajj quota slots granted to Indonesia, intended to be split 50/50 between regular and special Hajj pilgrimages. Though,regulations stipulate that special Hajj quotas should comprise only 8 percent of the total national quota. The KPK suspects irregularities occurred as travel agencies, including those associated with Khalid Basalamah, sought to influence the quota distribution with the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag).
KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo stated investigators are examining the mechanisms by which travel agencies acquired pilgrimage departure quotas, specifically focusing on instances where agencies initially utilized furoda (independent Hajj packages) before transitioning to special Hajj arrangements. “Investigators explore how the acquisition of the pilgrimage departure quota is like what the mechanism is, then in the field like what the relevant recognition is also related to initially using furoda, then shifted into a special hajj,” Prasetyo said.
Khalid Basalamah was previously questioned by the KPK on September 9th for approximately 7.5 hours regarding his role in sending pilgrims on the 2024 Hajj using the additional quota. The KPK is also questioning othre travel agencies and relevant associations overseeing their operations.
While the investigation has reached the stage of examining witnesses, including former Religious Minister Yaqut Cholil Qouumas, no suspects have yet been named. Preliminary estimates indicate potential state losses exceeding Rp 1 trillion due to the alleged shift from regular to special Hajj quotas.
