KPK Emphasizes Yaqut Cholil is Only a Temporary House Prisoner

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that the status of the house arrest of former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as a house arrest was only temporary.

This was conveyed by KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo amid the controversy over the change in the status of Yaqut's detention, who is a suspect in the corruption case of determining quotas and the organization of the 2023-2024 hajj pilgrimage at the Ministry of Religion.

"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," Budi told reporters in a written statement, Sunday, March 22.

Even so, Budi did not specify when Yaqut would return to the detention house (prison) as usual for other prisoners. "This transfer is not permanent," he said.

Budi also ensured that the legal process running in the haj quota corruption case would not be disturbed. Because, the process is still running.

"We ensure that this type of detention does not hinder the investigation process. We will immediately complete the investigation file so that it can immediately be transferred to the prosecution stage," he said.

Yaqut is known to have been under house arrest since Thursday, March 19. Meanwhile, the family's request was submitted on March 17 or five days after being detained on Thursday, March 12.

The change in status from prison to house arrest was claimed by the KPK to have been reviewed and in accordance with Article 108 paragraph (1) and (11) of Law Number 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code.

Article 108 paragraph (11) regulates that the transfer of type of detention can be carried out based on an investigation order which is given to the suspect, the suspect's family, and the interested parties.

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).

"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.

Yaqut was also not seen when the KPK held an Idulfitri prayer for prisoners of Islamic faith on Saturday, March 21. 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.