KPK Responds to Request to Summon Ex-President Jokowi as Witness in Hajj Quota Corruption Case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) of Indonesia has responded cautiously to a request from the legal team of a defendant in the alleged corruption case involving hajj (Mecca pilgrimage) quotas to summon former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as a witness. "We will see what the panel of judges decides, as the witnesses presented are to assist in providing testimony for the disclosure or proof of the case being tried," said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists on Friday (11/9/2026). When asked if the KPK did not rule out the possibility of summoning Jokowi, Budi stated that the anti-graft agency would "see how the developments unfold." Budi reiterated a similar statement when questioned whether the KPK was waiting for an order from the panel of judges to summon Jokowi. "We will see how the developments unfold, as there are more than 300 people who will be presented by the KPK Prosecutor's Office in this case," he said. The KPK began its investigation into the alleged corruption related to Indonesia's hajj quota for the 2023-2024 period on August 9, 2025. Four individuals were subsequently named suspects and are now undergoing trial as defendants. They are former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, former Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex, Maktour Company's Operational Director Ismail Adham, and former Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Travel Agencies (Kesatuan Tour Travel Haji Umrah Republik Indonesia) Asrul Aziz Taba. Their trial commenced on August 11, 2026, with charges of causing state financial losses amounting to Rp622.09 billion. During the trial on September 10, 2026, Wa Ode Nur Zainab, the lawyer for Gus Alex, requested the panel of judges to summon Jokowi. "The person who knows most about this additional quota is the former President. Therefore, through this trial, Your Honors, and in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), we request Your Honors to summon Mr. Joko Widodo through the prosecutor," said Wa Ode. She explained that Jokowi's presence was crucial to clarify the meeting between the Indonesian government and the Saudi Arabian government regarding the additional 20,000 hajj quotas for the Hijri year 1445/2024. The KPK has indicated that over 300 witnesses are expected to testify, and the summoning of former President Jokowi will depend on the ongoing court proceedings.