KPK ensures the transfer of the status of the prisoner of the former Minister of Home Affairs Yaqut in accordance with the procedure

Former Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, (photo: dok. between)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that the transfer of the status of the former Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, from a house of detention (rutan) to a house of detention was in accordance with the rules. The study based on Article 108 paragraph (1) and (11) of Law Number 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code has been carried out.

"We ensure that the process of transferring this temporary detention is in accordance with the provisions and procedures for investigation and detention of a suspect," said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters through his written statement quoted on Sunday, March 22.

Budi said the basis for the transfer of the status of the prisoner was based on a request from the family submitted on March 17.

"Based on the request, it was then examined and granted with consideration in accordance with Article 108 paragraph (1) and (11) of Law Number 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code," he said.

Yaqut, continued Budi, is only a temporary house arrest. The former minister of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), is said to be closely monitored.

"During the implementation of the transfer of detention, the KPK will continue to carry out inherent supervision and security to the person concerned," he said. "Likewise, the process of handling this case will continue to run in accordance with the applicable legal provisions."

Yaqut is known to have been detained at the KPK Detention Center since Thursday, March 12. This detention was carried out after he was named a suspect in the corruption case of determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 hajj at the Ministry of Religion together with staff, especially Ishfah Abidal Azis alias Gus Alex.

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). Yaqut is known as a suspect in the corruption case for determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 hajj in the Ministry of Religion.

"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.

As for Yaqut, he also did not appear when the KPK held the Idulfitri prayer for prisoners who are Muslim. 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.