Back in the KPK Detention Center, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is silent about the news of the Palace's intervention

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas officially returned to detention at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Detention House (Rutan) after undergoing an examination at the KPK Red and White building, Kuningan Persada South Jakarta today, March 24.

He had previously breathed fresh air because his detention status changed to house arrest.

From monitoring at the location, Yaqut left the anti-corruption commission's office at around 12.05 WIB or after undergoing an examination for almost two hours since 10.33 WIB. The suspect in the corruption case for determining quotas and the implementation of the 2023-2024 Hajj pilgrimage at the Ministry of Religion is still wearing an orange prisoner vest like when he arrived.

At that time, Yaqut was silent about his examination and the change in his detention status. Likewise, with the news that this process was colored by the intervention of the Palace, he only answered that he had met with his family.

VOI received information, the transfer of Yaqut's detention status was carried out after the Palace contacted the head of the anti-corruption commission asking the former minister of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to be released from the Red and White KPK Branch.

This request came after Yaqut had twice applied for a suspension of detention but was rejected.

"Alhamdulillah, I can bow to my mother. It's a great blessing," he said briefly while being escorted by a prison guard.

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.

This incident then became a controversy in the community. A number of parties, including former employees, highlighted the KPK's attitude.

Meanwhile, the KPK said that the change in status from prison detention 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, Immanuel Ebenezer's wife, Silvia Rinita Harefa, revealed that 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, he said there was an examination, but it's impossible that before the night of the prayer there was an examination like that," 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.