Travel agencies and ministry officials suspected of selling priority hajj quotas illegally
Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that thousands of extra 2024 hajj quotas were illegally sold to new pilgrims who bypassed the official waiting list, raising concerns over systemic corruption in pilgrimage management.
Extra Quotas Meant for Pilgrims
In 2023, President Joko Widodo secured an additional 20,000 hajj slots from Saudi Arabia. By law, 92% of these should have been allocated to regular pilgrims, while 8% were for special quotas. However, a decree signed by then-Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in 2024 split the allocation evenly: 10,000 for regular pilgrims and 10,000 for special hajj programs.
Alleged Sale of Quotas
According to KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo, travel agencies allegedly sold these extra quotas to new pilgrims at high prices, allowing them to bypass the long waiting list. “This practice disadvantaged those who had waited years for their turn,” Budi said during a press briefing in Jakarta on September 4, 2025.
Suspected Kickbacks to Officials
KPK suspects that part of the payments flowed to officials in the Ministry of Religious Affairs through hajj associations. Each quota slot reportedly sold for USD 2,600 to 7,000 each, depending on the travel agency’s size. Investigators estimate the state lost more than Rp1 trillion due to the diversion of regular hajj funds into private hands.
High-Profile Figures Under Scrutiny
The investigation has already prevented three individuals from leaving the country: former Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, his former special staff Ishfah Abidal Aziz (known as Gus Alex), and Maktour travel agency owner Fuad Hasan Masyhur. KPK has also searched nine locations, including the Ministry of Religious Affairs office, Yaqut’s residence, and several hajj travel company offices.
Broader Impact on Pilgrims
The scandal has disrupted the fairness of the hajj registration system. Many Indonesians who had waited for years saw their positions undermined by newcomers who could afford to pay extra through travel agencies. This not only damages public trust but also raises questions about governance and integrity within hajj management.
KPK’s Next Steps
KPK continues to gather evidence on financial flows and the involvement of ministry insiders. The commission emphasized that uncovering the full network behind the hajj quota scandal is crucial to restoring credibility in Indonesia’s hajj administration.
The 2024 hajj quota scandal reveals deep flaws in Indonesia’s pilgrimage management, blending religious obligation with corruption. For Indonesians and neighboring communities in Singapore and Malaysia, the case underscores how integrity in religious affairs is vital to protecting fairness, transparency, and trust in one of the world’s largest pilgrimage systems.
Sources: Tirto.id (2025) , Kumparan (2025)
Keywords: Hajj Quota, KPK Investigation, Corruption Case, Travel Agencies, Ministry Of Religious Affairs, 2024 Hajj
