Hajj Quota Corruption Case: Maktour Owner Fuad Hasan Masyhur’s Role Revealed
Jakarta – Indonesia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has revealed the involvement of Fuad Hasan Masyhur, owner of Maktour Travel, in a corruption case concerning hajj quotas that implicates former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
Fuad Hasan Masyhur’s Letter to Former Minister Yaqut
Fuad Hasan Masyhur allegedly wrote to Yaqut Cholil Qoumas requesting that hajj and umrah travel agencies continue to receive special hajj quotas from the additional quota Indonesia obtained during the 2023-2024 period. The request stemmed from concerns about maximizing the absorption of the additional quota.
The Additional Hajj Quota and SATHU’s Request
In 2023, Indonesia received an additional hajj quota of 8,000, intended for regular hajj applicants. Fuad, acting as Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the Forum for Brotherhood of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Travel Agencies (SATHU), proposed that the Ministry of Religion allocate a portion of this additional quota for special hajj packages, believing travel agencies could better utilize it. Source: Jawawa.id
Quota Allocation and Communication with Hilman Latief
As a result of Fuad’s request, the 8,000 additional quota was divided with 92% allocated to regular hajj and 8% to special hajj. Fuad then communicated with Hilman Latief, Director General of Hajj and Umrah Operations (PHU), regarding SATHU’s readiness to maximize the absorption of the additional quota. Source: Jawawa.id Hilman Latief subsequently proposed to Yaqut the 92/8% split for the additional quota, differing from conclusions reached in parliamentary meetings.
Approval and Implementation of the Quota Split
Yaqut Cholil Qoumas approved Hilman Latief’s proposal, issuing Minister of Religion Decree (KMA) number 467 of 2023 on May 19, 2023, determining the allocation of the additional quota as 7,360 for regular hajj and 640 for special hajj. This proposal was later approved by the DPR. Source: Detik.com
Acceleration Fees and Further Requests
Ishfah Abidal Aziz (IAA), also known as Gus Alex, a former special staff member, issued a decree to expedite special hajj departures, allowing registrants to depart in the same year as registration, bypassing the usual queue. This was facilitated by collecting an acceleration fee of USD 5,000 (approximately IDR 84.4 million) per pilgrim from PIHK (travel agencies organizing special hajj). Source: Detik.com
In November 2023, Fuad Hasan Masyhur met with Yaqut and several PIHK administrators to discuss managing an additional special hajj quota exceeding 8%. Following this meeting, Yaqut requested Hilman Latief to prepare a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia proposing a 50:50 split of an additional 20,000 quota – 10,000 for special hajj and 10,000 for regular hajj. Source: Detik.com
Allegations of Receiving Fees
The KPK alleges that Yaqut received fees for the Hajj departures in 2023 and 2024 in exchange for agreeing to the distribution and acceleration of special hajj departures. The acceleration fee for 2023 was USD 5,000 per pilgrim, while the fee for 2024 was USD 2,000. Source: Detik.com
Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has been detained by the KPK in connection with this case, maintaining his innocence and claiming the discretionary quota distribution was solely for the safety of pilgrims. Source: Voi.id