Hajj Quota Corruption Caused Over Rp1 Trillion in State Losses: KPK

Jakarta: Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed new findings in an alleged graft case related to the management and allocation of hajj quotas at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), estimating state losses at more than Rp1 trillion.

“In this case, the preliminary calculation of the alleged state loss is more than Rp1 trillion,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said at the agency’s headquarters in South Jakarta on Monday, August 11, 2025.

Budi explained that the figure is still provisional and will be finalized based on an audit by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK). “This is KPK’s internal calculation, which we have discussed with colleagues at BPK, but it’s still an initial figure. BPK will conduct a more detailed assessment,” he said.

He stressed that the more-than-Rp1 trillion figure was based on scientific analysis, although no suspects have been named in the case so far. “The preliminary calculation shows the figure exceeds Rp1 trillion,” Budi reiterated.

KPK said it remains open to following up on public tips regarding the case. One such lead came from the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Community (MAKI) coordinator, Boyamin Saiman, who alleged illegal levies of Rp75 million per pilgrim.

Previously, MAKI claimed there were illicit payments in connection with the alleged graft involving hajj quota management. Certain individuals were suspected of profiting up to Rp75 million from each prospective pilgrim.

“There is an alleged illegal fee of USD 5,000, or Rp75 million, per pilgrim, because the waiting list for hajj departures is long,” Boyamin told Metro TV on Monday.

According to Boyamin, the fees were collected in connection with an additional quota of 20,000 pilgrims granted to Indonesia by the Saudi government. Pilgrims reportedly paid the extra charges due to the lengthy waiting period for the official hajj queue.

“For the hajj plus program, the wait is around seven years, while for regular hajj it can take 20 to 30 years,” he said.