JAKARTA, LITERASIHUKUM.COM — The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has again detained a suspect in the alleged hajj quota corruption case. After previously detaining the former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, the KPK is now detaining his former special staff, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, after an examination at the KPK's Merah Putih Building, Jakarta, Tuesday (17/3/2026).

The detention of Gus Alex reinforces that the KPK is now taking the hajj quota case to a more serious phase. Previously, the anti-corruption agency had indeed determined the two main suspects, namely Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, in the alleged corruption case of determining quotas and organizing the hajj pilgrimage in 2023–2024. The KPK initiated the investigation of this case on August 9, 2025, then announced the determination of the two suspects on January 9, 2026.

Gus Alex was detained five days after Yaqut first entered the KPK detention center. On March 12, 2026, the KPK detained Yaqut after questioning him as a suspect, not long after his judicial review petition was rejected by the South Jakarta District Court. At that time, Yaqut denied receiving money from the hajj quota case and stated that his policy was solely for the safety of the pilgrims.