Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Former Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister, Placed Under House Arrest in Hajj Quota Corruption Case
Jakarta – Former Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, a suspect in the alleged corruption case surrounding the 2023-2024 Hajj quota, has been placed under house arrest, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Temporary Measure
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the transfer from KPK detention to house arrest is not permanent. “It is temporary,” Prasetyo said. The KPK has not yet confirmed the duration of the house arrest, stating that updates will be provided as they become available.
Family Request Granted
Yaqut was moved to house arrest on Thursday, March 19, 2026, following a request submitted by his family on March 17, 2026. The KPK approved the request, citing Article 108 paragraphs (1) and (11) of Law Number 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code.
Continued Supervision
Despite the change in detention status, the KPK assures the public that close supervision and security measures will continue to be enforced during Yaqut’s house arrest. “We ensure that the process of temporarily transferring detention complies with the provisions and procedures for investigating and detaining a suspect,” Prasetyo added.
Background of the Case
Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was named a suspect in the Hajj quota corruption case in early January 2026. He previously challenged his suspect status through a pretrial motion, which was ultimately rejected by the court. He was initially detained by the KPK on March 12, 2026. The case, as reported by the Financial Supervisory Board (BPK), allegedly caused state losses of up to Rp. 622 billion.
Other Individuals Involved
The KPK investigation extends beyond Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, with several other officials having been interrogated in connection with the alleged corruption. These include Director General of Hajj and Umrah Services Hilman Latief, Head of the Hajj Fund Management Agency (BPKH) Fadlul Imansyah, and preacher Khalid Basalamah.
The KPK is currently tracing the details of the Hajj quota distribution to Yaqut Qoumas and investigating potential financial flows related to the allocation of additional Hajj quotas.