Former Investigator Challenges KPK Leadership to Open Up About Changing the Status of Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs Yaqut

JAKARTA - Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator, Praswad Nugraha, urged the KPK leadership to be open about the change in the status of the detention of former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.

This demand was conveyed by Praswad because of the statement of KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo regarding the investigators who are authorized to regulate the detention of suspects are biased. The responsibility of the leadership of the institution also seems to be obscured.

"The answer of the KPK spokesperson who stated that the change in the status of Yaqut Cholil Qoumas' house arrest was entirely the authority of the investigators is a hallucinatory answer that is completely unfounded, a reflection of the limited understanding of the person concerned about the investigation process," said Praswad in a written statement, Sunday, March 22.

The KPK leadership, he continued, should appear to answer the polemics that were raised as a result of the transfer of Yaqut's detention status, who is a suspect in the corruption case of determining quotas and the implementation of the 2023-2024 hajj pilgrimage at the Ministry of Religion.

"The KPK leadership must come forward as knights to answer this public question as brightly as possible, is it true that in this era Koruptor can enjoy house arrest?" said Praswad.

"If it's true, then I appeal to all KPK prisoners to ask for the same thing, so that we can watch the most ridiculous anti-corruption drama show since the KPK was established," he continued.

Furthermore, Praswad also urged the KPK leadership to be brave in conveying if there was pressure behind their decision. This step is important to prevent any room for compromise that damages the system of eradicating corruption.

"Indonesian, who is the person, let's bring it to the light room. Let the person concerned be held accountable for his actions directly in public," 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.