KPK Questioned Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is Not in Jail: So House Prisoner at the Request of the Family

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that the status of former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is now a house arrest since Thursday, March 19.

This was conveyed by KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo following the statement of the wife of former Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer, Silvia Rinita Harefa who said that Yaqut was the subject of discussion because he was not at the KPK Detention Center since Thursday evening, March 19.

"Yes, investigators have transferred the type of detention for suspect YCQ from detention at the KPK Detention Center to house arrest. This transfer was at the request of the family on March 17, 2026," Budi said in a written statement, Saturday, March 21.

Budi did not specify the reason for the transfer of detention. He only ensured that the review and consideration in accordance with Article 108 paragraph (1) and (11) of Law Number 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code had been carried out so that the application was granted.

The transfer is temporary and monitoring will continue so that it is emphasized that Yaqut does not mean free without supervision.

"During the transfer of detention, the KPK will continue to carry out inherent supervision and security to the person concerned," he said.

Budi also ensured that the investigation process would continue.

"We ensure that the process of transferring detention for a temporary period is in accordance with the provisions and procedures for investigating and detaining a suspect," he said.

"Likewise, the process of handling this case will continue to run in accordance with the applicable legal provisions."

Yaqut is known to have been detained at the KPK Detention Center since Thursday, March 12. This detention was carried out after he was named a suspect in the corruption case of determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 hajj at the Ministry of Religion together with staff, especially Ishfah Abidal Azis alias Gus Alex.

As previously reported, the wife of former Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer, Silvia Rinita Harefa revealed that the former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was not at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Detention House (Rutan) since Thursday evening, March 19.

This was conveyed by Silvia after visiting her husband who is currently undergoing trial related to alleged extortion regarding safety and security certification (K3) at the Ministry of Manpower (Kemenaker). Yaqut is known as a suspect in the corruption case for determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 hajj in the Ministry of Religion.

"At first, I didn't see Gus Yaqut. The information said he would leave Thursday night," Silvia told reporters, Saturday, March 21.

Silvia admitted that Noel told him about Yaqut who was unknown. "Everyone knows about it. They just ask questions, right, they say there are examinations, but it's impossible that before the night of the prayer there will be an examination, right," he said.

"Until today, (former Minister of Foreign Affairs Yaqut, ed) there is none," he continued.

As for Yaqut, he also did not appear when the KPK held the Idulfitri prayer for prisoners who are Muslim. In fact, the former staff, especially, Ishfah Abidal Azis who is also a suspect in the haj quota corruption case was seen participating in the worship activity.

Ishfah was observed performing the Idulfitri prayer with other prisoners, namely the non-active Pati Regent Sudewo, the non-active Bekasi Regent Ade Kuswara Kunang, the non-active Lampung Tengah Regent Ardito Wijaya, to the non-active Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq.