Ex-Minister Yaqut Placed Under House Arrest Amid Hajj Quota Corruption Investigation
Jakarta – Former Indonesian Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, currently a suspect in a corruption case involving hajj quotas, has been moved to house arrest. The decision, made by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), came after just seven days in KPK detention, raising questions about transparency and potential preferential treatment.
Shift to House Arrest Raises Concerns
The KPK’s decision to transfer Yaqut to house arrest on Thursday, March 19, 2026, was initially revealed not by the commission itself, but by Silvia Rinita Harefa, the wife of former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer (Noel), after visiting Noel at the KPK detention center on Saturday, March 21, 2026. “I didn’t see Gus Yaqut earlier. The information was that he left on Thursday evening,” Silvia stated. Source: DetikNews
Other detainees at the KPK detention center were also unaware of the reasons behind Yaqut’s release. Silvia reported that her husband and fellow inmates questioned the move, particularly given the proximity to Eid al-Fitr. Source: DetikNews
Criticism from Anti-Corruption Groups
The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) has strongly criticized the KPK’s lack of transparency regarding the change in Yaqut’s detention status. MAKI Coordinator Boyamin Saiman expressed disappointment, stating that the transfer was not publicly announced and was discovered through information shared by the family of another detainee. Source: DetikNews
Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has also urged the KPK Supervisory Board to investigate the decision, suggesting it could be a form of preferential treatment. ICW researcher Wana Alamsyah warned that placing Yaqut under house arrest could create opportunities to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses. Source: Tempo.co
KPK Response and Investigation Continues
The KPK maintains that the decision to place Yaqut under house arrest was based on a request from his family and does not indicate any special treatment. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo clarified that the move was not related to Yaqut’s health. Source: Tempo.co
Despite the change in detention status, the KPK asserts that the investigation into the alleged hajj quota corruption will continue uninterrupted. The commission stated it will focus on completing the case file for prosecution. Source: Tempo.co
The KPK will continue to conduct “strict surveillance” of Yaqut while he is under house arrest. Source: Kompas.com
Former Investigator Raises Concerns
Former KPK investigator Yudi Purnomo Harahap expressed surprise at the decision to place Yaqut under house arrest, questioning whether the KPK has sufficient evidence to proceed with the case. He urged the KPK to openly explain the reasons for the move and warned of potential damage to the integrity of the anti-corruption system. Source: DetikNews
Yaqut was initially detained on March 12, 2026, in connection with allegations of corruption related to hajj quotas. Source: DetikNews