Sent a Bouquet of Flowers Containing Insults After Yaqut Was Detained at Home, KPK: A Form of Public Expression

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) considers the wreath containing sarcasm from the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) as a positive form of public expression.

This was conveyed by KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in response to two bouquets sent by MAKI in front of the KPK Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta on Wednesday, March 25.

The wreath reads 'Congratulations for breaking the MORI record (Monument of Real People Istimewa) from MAKI who does not want to curse'.

"KPK considers this as a form of public expression that we have received positively," said Budi through his written statement to reporters, Wednesday, March 25.

Budi said the KPK was not offended by the wreath. "As a law enforcement agency, we are always open to various constructive criticism, suggestions, and input in efforts to eradicate corruption," he said.

"We see that this also reflects the high attention, hope, and trust of the public in the law enforcement process carried out by the KPK," he continued.

Budi also emphasized that the KPK always places the community as a strategic partner.

"Not only playing an active role in supporting prevention and enforcement efforts, the public also has an important function as a supervisor or watchdog to ensure that every process runs transparently and can be held accountable."

As previously reported, former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas had been under house arrest since Thursday, March 19. The transfer of the status of detention was carried out after there was a request from the family on March 17 or five days after the detention on Thursday, March 12.

This incident then became a polemic 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.

After the polemics, the KPK then re-detained Yaqut at the Red and White KPK Branch Detention Center on Tuesday, March 24. This process was initiated by a health examination first at Bhayangkara Hospital Tk. I. R. Said Sukanto, East Jakarta on Monday, March 23.