Revealed! USD 568,000 in Hajj Quota Funds Returned by Khalid Basalamah

Source: kompas.com

Jejaknesia.com - In 2024, the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) announced an additional 20,000 hajj quota. This additional quota was divided into two channels: regular hajj and special hajj. However, the distribution of the special quota sparked major controversy because it allegedly violated existing regulations.

According to the law, the special hajj quota should only account for 8% of the national total. However, in practice, the additional quota was split 50:50 between regular and special allocations. Allegations of corruption arose due to the excessive special quota and suspected involvement of travel agencies and hajj associations in early communications with Kemenag.

Parties Examined and Witness Summons

PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) and KPK Investigation

One of the witnesses summoned was an employee of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) named Ismail Adam, who was questioned at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Kuningan, South Jakarta, as part of the hajj quota investigation. The examination aimed to uncover the involvement of travel agencies in distributing and utilizing the additional quota.

In addition to Ismail Adam, other individuals such as former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Maktour owner Fuad Hasan, and preacher Khalid Zeed Abdullah Basalamah were also examined by the KPK.

The Oddities That Surprised KPK in This Case

One of the key points of concern was the change in pilgrims’ travel paths from the furoda route to the special hajj route. The furoda route uses official visas without long waiting lists, while the special hajj still follows a queue system. However, in the case of Khalid Basalamah and his group, they reportedly departed directly through the additional special quota without undergoing the usual waiting process.

The KPK noted that as the owner of a hajj travel agency, Khalid Basalamah had significant authority and responsibility regarding how the transfer occurred. Furthermore, several pilgrims were unaware that they had been “persuaded” to switch to the special quota after initially registering under the furoda route.

Refund of Funds by Khalid Basalamah

Amount and Method of Refund

Ustaz Khalid Zeed Abdullah Basalamah, owner of the travel agency PT Zahra Oto Mandiri (Uhud Tour), admitted to returning funds to the KPK as part of the investigation.

The total amount returned was approximately USD 568,000. This figure comprised two parts: first, USD 4,500 multiplied by the number of pilgrims (118 people), and second, an additional USD 37,000. Khalid claimed all the funds came from the “sale of special hajj quotas” and were ultimately returned.

Verification Status and KPK’s Response

The KPK confirmed the refund but stated that the amount was still under verification. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said the funds were handed over in stages and were being officially recalculated. 

The KPK also noted that the returned funds were suspected to be proceeds of a criminal act. As evidence, the money will be included as part of the case’s construction going forward.

State Loss and Legal Implications

Based on preliminary calculations, the state’s losses from this case are estimated to exceed IDR 1 trillion. This figure stems from the shift in quota distribution from regular to special and alleged misuse of quotas that should have been regulated according to the law.

Although several witnesses have been examined and the investigation is ongoing, no suspects have yet been officially named. The KPK continues to gather data, including from travel agency witnesses, hajj associations, and internal documents from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Observing these developments, several key points deserve further attention:

• Transparency and travel agency oversight: This case illustrates how hajj travel agencies offering VIP or special privileges can become a gateway to abuse if regulatory mechanisms are not strictly monitored.
• Compliance with special quota regulations: The law clearly states that the special quota must not exceed 8%. Violating this percentage raises questions—why did associations and travel agencies receive additional quota access beyond 8%?
• The role of pilgrims as victims and witnesses: Some pilgrims were reportedly unaware of the quota switch—from furoda to special—indicating that they may have been victims of misinformation.
• Refunding money does not mean immunity from the law: All evidence, the amount refunded, and the process are still under KPK review. Even with repayment, criminal allegations may proceed if further proof of data manipulation, coercion, or abuse of authority emerges.

The 2024 hajj quota corruption case is not merely a legal issue but a reflection of the complexity of Indonesia’s hajj system when regulations, ethics, and commercial interests intersect. From witness summons of travel employees, Khalid Basalamah’s refund, to the still-pending calculation of state losses, one thing must remain intact: public trust and the principle of justice.

May the KPK, in carrying out its duties, fully uncover all facts transparently, ensuring that no truth is hidden by power or money. The law must not only ensnare the weak but serve as an instrument of justice for all—officials, travel agencies, and hajj pilgrims alike.

Thank you for reading to the end. Hopefully, everyone can learn from this case so that future hajj pilgrimages will be conducted with greater integrity, fairness, and dignity.

References

• Detik.com
• Republika.co.id
• Ipol.id