Politics · Indonesia · 7 hrs ago
Former religious affairs spokesperson explains Indonesia's extra Hajj quotas
Former ministry spokesperson Anna Hasbie testified for Yaqut Cholil Qoumas at a corruption trial in Jakarta.
Yaqut, Indonesia's former religious affairs minister, is accused of causing state losses through the allocation of extra Hajj quotas in 2023 and 2024.
Hasbie said the quota decisions aimed to protect the stability of Hajj funds, which she said serve both pilgrims travelling soon and those still waiting.
She also cited Article 9 of Indonesia's 2019 Hajj law, which she said gives the minister authority to divide extra quotas.
She said both regular and special Hajj pilgrims have a right to go, and that sharing quotas fairly was part of the reasoning.
Hasbie said Hajj preparations and services were more orderly in 2024 than in 2023, when delays were more common.
Prosecutors accuse Yaqut and three others of causing losses of about 622 billion rupiah; the case concerns alleged corruption, not a proven finding of guilt.
Former religious affairs ministry spokesperson Mariana Aristyawati testified for former minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in a case over additional Hajj quotas.
She said the quota allocations in 2023 and 2024 were intended in part to maintain the stability of Hajj funds.
She cited Article 9 of Indonesia’s 2019 Hajj law as giving the religious affairs minister authority to distribute additional quotas.
Aristyawati said Hajj preparations and services in 2024 were more orderly than in 2023.
Prosecutors accuse Yaqut and three others of causing state losses of Rp 622,090,207,166.41.
- Who
- Mariana Aristyawati, a former religious affairs ministry spokesperson, testified for former minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
- What
- She explained reasons for distributing additional Hajj quotas in 2023 and 2024, including maintaining the stability of Hajj funds.
- When
- She testified on November 4, 2026. The case concerns additional quotas in 2023 and 2024.
- Where
- Jakarta Corruption Court.
- Why
- She said the allocations were intended to help maintain Hajj fund stability and were supported by Article 9 of the 2019 Hajj law.
Prosecution
Yaqut Cholil Qoumas's defense
Alleged harm
Prosecution
Prosecutors say Yaqut and three others caused state losses of Rp 622,090,207,166.41 through alleged corruption involving additional Hajj quotas.
Yaqut Cholil Qoumas's defense
Aristyawati said the quota allocations were intended to maintain Hajj fund stability and were authorized under Article 9 of the 2019 Hajj law.
Aristyawati said the Corruption Eradication Commission urged the religious affairs ministry to pay attention to the sustainability of Hajj funds.
Aristyawati referred to a meeting where Hajj fund sustainability and quotas for special Hajj were discussed.
Aristyawati said Hajj preparations and services were more orderly than in 2023.
Aristyawati testified at Jakarta Corruption Court as a defense witness for Yaqut.
- Witness
- Mariana Aristyawati, spokesperson in 2022–2024
- Law
- Article 9 of Law No. 8 of 2019
- Hajj fund agency
- BPKH
- Accused state loss
- Rp 622,090,207,166.41
- Other named defendants
- Asrul Azis Taba, Ishfah Abidal Azis, and Ismail Adham
What people are saying
The basis or origin of the quota distribution was, first, the message to maintain the sustainability of Hajj funds.
The services were more orderly. We really calculated how long embarkation would take, and the flights.