Jakarta, Indonesia โ- The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed Wednesday that travel agents seeking Hajj pilgrimage quotas were allegedly pressured to provide โfunds outside โฃof official channels, with those refusing facing โdifficultyโข securing allocations-including additional quotas-from the Ministry of Religion.
According to Asep Guntur Rahayu, the Acting Deputy for Action andโค Execution โat the KPK, the practice constitutes an “arbitrary act.” he stated that travel agents are heavily reliant on the Ministry of Religion for โขHajj quota access.”There are requests, even outside [official procedures], because this agent, travel agent, in the โcontext he really depends on the Ministry of Religion to get a quota, so,” Rahayu toldโ reporters.
The alleged scheme โhas โbroader financial implications, diverting funds that should be managed by the government for regular Hajjโฃ pilgrims. The KPK estimates that of a 20,000-person Hajj quota,18,400 should be managed by โฃthe state throughโข the hajj Fund Management Agency (BPKH) to subsidize costs for regular pilgrims.instead, a significant portion is โฃbeing channeled through special pathwaysโ viaโ travel agents, with pilgrims departing promptly after payment, bypassing government management and resultingโค in โคlost potentialโข profits for the state.
The KPK is currently investigating โขthe matter but has not yet named any suspects. โขThe โคagency indicated the investigation โis ongoing andโข aimsโค to address theโข financial losses and ensure equitable access to Hajj pilgrimage opportunities. The findings were reported on October 9, 2025.
