Indonesia & Corruption: a few articles in the past few weeks

[harryopal1]

https://jakartaglobe.id/news/two-prominent-travel-industry-figures-arrested-in-indonesias-hajj-quota-scandal

It's an endless stream......

When I try this link it comes back as Error 403. I also tried the Jakarta Globe with the same result. Then tried using a VPN to relocate in different places but still no access. One wonders if this is the results of a deliberate blocking activity or just my computer incompetence. Probably the latter. So, Balifrog can you post a summary, please?

 

[Balifrog]

When I try this link it comes back as Error 403. I also tried the Jakarta Globe with the same result. Then tried using a VPN to relocate in different places but still no access. One wonders if this is the results of a deliberate blocking activity or just my computer incompetence. Probably the latter. So, Balifrog can you post a summary, please?

The link still works for me

Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Monday detained two prominent executives in the hajj and umrah travel industry as suspects in a corruption investigation involving the alleged misuse of additional hajj quotas allocated by Saudi Arabia, a case that has also implicated former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.



The two suspects are Asrul Azis Taba, commissioner of hajj travel company Raudah Eksati Utama and chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Organizers Association (Kesthuri), and Ismail Adham, operations director of Maktour, one of Indonesia’s best-known premium hajj travel operators.

The KPK has previously said it possesses evidence that travel agencies obtained illegal profits by exploiting additional pilgrimage quotas allocated through the Religious Affairs Ministry.

According to investigators, at least eight travel agencies affiliated with Kesthuri generated a combined Rp 40.8 billion ($2.2 million) in illicit gains from the 2024 hajj akarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Monday detained two prominent executives in the hajj and umrah travel industry as suspects in a corruption investigation involving the alleged misuse of additional hajj quotas allocated by Saudi Arabia, a case that has also implicated former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.

The two suspects are Asrul Azis Taba, commissioner of hajj travel company Raudah Eksati Utama and chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Organizers Association (Kesthuri), and Ismail Adham, operations director of Maktour, one of Indonesia’s best-known premium hajj travel operators.
Both men were formally named suspects on March 30.
They emerged from KPK headquarters in Jakarta late Monday wearing orange detention vests and handcuffs before being escorted to detention vehicles. Asrul was seen walking with a cane, while Ismail appeared emotional and was seen wiping away tears. Neither made any statement to reporters.

The KPK has previously said it possesses evidence that travel agencies obtained illegal profits by exploiting additional pilgrimage quotas allocated through the Religious Affairs Ministry.
According to investigators, at least eight travel agencies affiliated with Kesthuri generated a combined Rp 40.8 billion ($2.2 million) in illicit gains from the 2024 hajj season.
The controversy centers on an additional quota of 20,000 pilgrims granted to Indonesia by Saudi Arabia in 2024. Then-minister Yaqut allocated the quota equally between the government-managed regular hajj program and the privately managed special hajj program.
The KPK argues that the arrangement violated Indonesia’s Hajj Administration Law, which stipulates that 92% of available quota should be allocated to regular pilgrims and only 8% to special hajj operators.
Investigators suspect the quota reallocation was driven by financial interests and estimate total state losses at Rp 622 billion ($34.3 million).

Yaqut is accused of receiving fees from hajj travel companies in exchange for granting a larger share of the additional quota to private operators, allegations that he has denied.

Oops, it copied more than I intended to..never mind.

 

[harryopal1]

The link still works for me

Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Monday detained two prominent executives in the hajj and umrah travel industry as suspects in a corruption investigation involving the alleged misuse of additional hajj quotas allocated by Saudi Arabia, a case that has also implicated former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.



The two suspects are Asrul Azis Taba, commissioner of hajj travel company Raudah Eksati Utama and chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Organizers Association (Kesthuri), and Ismail Adham, operations director of Maktour, one of Indonesia’s best-known premium hajj travel operators.

The KPK has previously said it possesses evidence that travel agencies obtained illegal profits by exploiting additional pilgrimage quotas allocated through the Religious Affairs Ministry.

According to investigators, at least eight travel agencies affiliated with Kesthuri generated a combined Rp 40.8 billion ($2.2 million) in illicit gains from the 2024 hajj akarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Monday detained two prominent executives in the hajj and umrah travel industry as suspects in a corruption investigation involving the alleged misuse of additional hajj quotas allocated by Saudi Arabia, a case that has also implicated former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.

The two suspects are Asrul Azis Taba, commissioner of hajj travel company Raudah Eksati Utama and chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Organizers Association (Kesthuri), and Ismail Adham, operations director of Maktour, one of Indonesia’s best-known premium hajj travel operators.
Both men were formally named suspects on March 30.
They emerged from KPK headquarters in Jakarta late Monday wearing orange detention vests and handcuffs before being escorted to detention vehicles. Asrul was seen walking with a cane, while Ismail appeared emotional and was seen wiping away tears. Neither made any statement to reporters.

The KPK has previously said it possesses evidence that travel agencies obtained illegal profits by exploiting additional pilgrimage quotas allocated through the Religious Affairs Ministry.
According to investigators, at least eight travel agencies affiliated with Kesthuri generated a combined Rp 40.8 billion ($2.2 million) in illicit gains from the 2024 hajj season.
The controversy centers on an additional quota of 20,000 pilgrims granted to Indonesia by Saudi Arabia in 2024. Then-minister Yaqut allocated the quota equally between the government-managed regular hajj program and the privately managed special hajj program.
The KPK argues that the arrangement violated Indonesia’s Hajj Administration Law, which stipulates that 92% of available quota should be allocated to regular pilgrims and only 8% to special hajj operators.
Investigators suspect the quota reallocation was driven by financial interests and estimate total state losses at Rp 622 billion ($34.3 million).

Yaqut is accused of receiving fees from hajj travel companies in exchange for granting a larger share of the additional quota to private operators, allegations that he has denied.

Oops, it copied more than I intended to..never mind.

Thank you.

 

[all4ywh]

This is a more detail case from Silmy Karim Ex-Deputy minister and Director General of Immigration

Cara Peras WNA ala Silmy Karim: Rekening OB Dipakai, “Malaikat” Jadi Kode Rahasia

Baca selengkapnya: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2026/06/05/06164351/cara-peras-wna-ala-silmy-karim-rekening-ob-dipakai-malaikat-jadi-kode?utm_campaign=yo...

www.youtube.com

Here is the Key detail what what he and his group were doing:

The Scheme: The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that residence permit applications for foreign nationals (WNA) were intentionally delayed or rejected to force applicants to pay extortion fees. This practice allegedly took place while Silmy Karim served as the Director General of Immigration (2023–2024).

Using Fake Accounts: To conceal the illegal money trail, the suspects avoided using their personal bank accounts. Instead, they utilized dozens of nominee accounts registered under the names of low-level staff, including office boys (OB) and cleaning service workers.

Angel Code Name: The syndicate used specific code words to conduct their operations, notably using the term "Malaikat" (Angel) as a secret code to refer to top immigration officials receiving a cut of the money.

Massive Financial Scale: The KPK estimates that the extortion ring amassed at least IDR 145.5 billion between 2022 and 2026. Out of this total, Silmy Karim himself is alleged to have received a routine weekly payout of IDR 100 million every Friday.

A few minutes ago I saw a news story about that "black mailing scandal" : my previous thoughts were that 10+ years ago the Immigration Department had embarked on a path of "reforms" with "integrity & transparency", so I am quite surprised to learn about the heights of that scandal and that it carried on for that period of time "4+ years" without the general public being informed by any credible media outlet ("free press") in this nation .
My experiences since arriving in Jakarta 17 years ago : only 17 years ago did I pay a 'credible' "immigration" agent to process my first resident visa application and I only had to pay the "legal" immigration fees published at that time.
Since that time I have processed all my resident visa applications by myself, and never was I asked to pay "additional fees" (bribes) to immigration officers to process or approve my applications.
Related to the period of time mentioned in that scandal ("between 2022 and 2026") : 2 years ago I did the applicaton for my "lifetime" ITAP which I handled in person at the Tangerang Immigration Office, and I experienced no delays, and no "special" requests, with the approval of that application .
Also a few minutes ago I read this excellent opinion piece about that scandal : https://nasional.kompas.com/read/20...im--ketika-pintu-negara-menjadi-loket-setoran

 

[snpark]

I think that was the digital ID card for locals then, but in almost 2 decades I also have never ever had a single problem with immigration, or fees, or with my excellent agent. I have happily given her lots of extra clients and they are all happy with her too.

 

[pantaiema]

A few minutes ago I saw a news story about that "black mailing scandal" : my previous thoughts were that 10+ years ago the Immigration Department had embarked on a path of "reforms" with "integrity & transparency", so I am quite surprised to learn about the heights of that scandal and that it carried on for that period of time "4+ years" without the general public being informed by any credible media outlet ("free press") in this nation .
My experiences since arriving in Jakarta 17 years ago : only 17 years ago did I pay a 'credible' "immigration" agent to process my first resident visa application and I only had to pay the "legal" immigration fees published at that time.
Since that time I have processed all my resident visa applications by myself, and never was I asked to pay "additional fees" (bribes) to immigration officers to process or approve my applications.
Related to the period of time mentioned in that scandal ("between 2022 and 2026") : 2 years ago I did the application for my "lifetime" ITAP which I handled in person at the Tangerang Immigration Office, and I experienced no delays, and no "special" requests, with the approval of that application .
Also a few minutes ago I read this excellent opinion piece about that scandal : https://nasional.kompas.com/read/20...im--ketika-pintu-negara-menjadi-loket-setoran

This is just my personal opinion. I think they know the difference between foreigners or employers who need stay permits for their employees to work in Indonesia and foreigners who have been living in Indonesia for many years, especially those on a wni spouse-sponsored visa.

For the latter group, they are likely to think twice before imposing extra charges because they know the foreigner’s spouse, relatives, or Indonesian friends could make a noise, raise with the authorities, make it viral on social media, which will create unwanted attention.

As for employers, for foreign employees an extra few million rupiah in fees is often not a bog deal, so many simply pay it rather than make a fuss and spending time, hassle that will cost them more in term of convenience, opportunity cost.

The issue may have come to light recently after the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry submitted an official letter to the President concerning illegal levies. These levies, such practices are not limited to a single group. Various other parties, including mass organisations (ormas), have also been accused of imposing unofficial charges. These groups visiting businesses, industrial estates, manufacturing plants, or fabrication facilities to demand so-called "security fees." It is general public knowledge, they are free to do that as they are getting back up by the political party, people in the position of power.

Once a letter like that is published and reported by multiple media outlets, it becomes much harder for the authorities to keep the matter quiet or handle it internally without public scrutiny.

Of course, the complaint letter was not only about illegal fees. It also covered other business concerns as well, such as nickel mining quotas and related regulatory issues.

Kadin China Kirim Surat "Curhat" ke Prabowo, Ini Isi Lengkapnya

Aliansi pengusaha asal China dikabarkan telah mengirimkan surat kepada Presiden Prabowo Subianto.

www.cnbcindonesia.com

 

[jstar]

It’s easier to shakedown the agents than individuals (who are probably married to a WNI). And people who will be coming back often with many dossiers and rely on speedy service won’t complain so much.

 

[mas_dam]

I agree with @pantaiema and @jstar.
If you don't look or act like a victim there is usually no issue.

I recently went to extend the STNK of my WNI wife's car at Jakarta police. During document checking I was told that Surat Kuasa + KTP Photocopy wasn't sufficient. I needed the original KTP of my wife. The officer at the counter told me: "Ok, go up to Floor X and speak to Pak YYY for a solution". So I went up to Floor X and asked for Pak YYY. After listening to my case, Pak YYY looked me straight in the eyes and said: "Okay... I help you... but... you also help me..." ........ "I need to talk with your wife on WA video call to verify that it's correct, then I can accept the KTP copy. Is that possible?"

I expected a lot but not that!
Everything was completed 10 minutes later.

Repeat business (agent) is what brings the big bucks. Like the agents sitting on the floor sorting through their bundle of dozens or hundreds of car documents... I doubt they arrange video calls ;-)