Once a House Prisoner During Eid al-Fitr, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas: Extraordinary Blessings

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas admitted that he received an extraordinary blessing after his detention status changed, from being detained at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Detention House (Rutan) to being detained at home.

This was conveyed when he was detained at the KPK Detention Center today, March 24. The suspect in the corruption case for determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 hajj in the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) admitted that he felt an extraordinary blessing to be able to gather with his family on the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah.

"Alhamdulilah I can bow to my mother, a great blessing," Yaqut told reporters at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

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 investigators, highlighted the KPK's attitude because the change of the status of detention was the first time it was carried out.

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.

Meanwhile, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu said Yaqut had first undergone a health examination even though the decision to return the status of detention to the KPK Detention Center was decided on Monday, March 23.

"The assessment has been carried out since yesterday afternoon at the Kramat Jati National Police Central Hospital. Why did you choose Kramat Jati, of course, first of all because it is close to YCQ's residence and then the availability of equipment and also expert doctors there," Asep told reporters at his office.

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.