Official from Yaqut Era Testifies on the Expansion of the Special Hajj Quota for 2024

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Director of Overseas Hajj Services at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), Subhan Cholid, disclosed an internal meeting that discussed changes in the additional hajj quota composition for 2024.

During the meeting held at that time, quota allocation scenarios were simulated—comparing regular hajj quota to special hajj quota ratios starting from 70:30, then 60:40, and eventually increasing the special hajj quota to equal the regular hajj quota at a 50:50 proportion.

"So the scheme we had prepared was 92:8, then we simulated 70:30, then 60:40, 50:50, and after that, it was broadcast there," Subhan said during a session at the Corruption Crime Court of Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday (15/9/2026).

Subhan testified as a witness in the trial over allegations of corruption relating to the additional hajj quota.

Subhan explained that this discussion took place after the DPR’s Working Committee (Panja) agreed on a hajj quota composition of 92 percent for regular hajj and 8 percent for special hajj.

According to Subhan, the meeting was a routine one led by the director general. During the meeting, they were asked to examine possible changes to the quota composition from the initial 92:8 scheme.

However, Subhan noted there were no documents or minutes recording the discussions on the simulations of these quota composition changes.

"That's why it wasn't documented in any formal record; there really are no meeting minutes," Subhan said.

When asked whether several meetings discussing these simulations also lacked minutes, Subhan confirmed this.

"There are no minutes," he said.

List of Defendants in the Hajj Quota Case

In this case, the defendants include:

1. Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas

2. Former Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs Ishfah Abidal Aziz, aka Gus Alex

3. Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) Ismail Adham

4. Chairman of the Association of United Hajj and Umrah Travel Agents (Kesthuri) and Commissioner of PT Raudhah Eksati Utama, Asrul Azis Taba.