JAKARTA - Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator, Praswad Nugraha, highlighted public confidence in the KPK after the controversy over the transfer of the status of detention of former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. This event is considered a serious test if it is not immediately improved through openness.
"This case is a serious test for the KPK. Public trust can only be restored through openness," Praswad said in a written statement to reporters quoted on Monday, March 30.
Praswad said this openness could only be achieved if the KPK explained the background of the change in the status of the detention of suspects in the corruption case of determining quotas and the implementation of the 2023-2024 hajj. Including, uncovering the parties who intervened.
Because, Praswad assessed, this event is difficult to happen if there is no intervention. Considering, the internal anti-corruption commission always maintains its integrity.
"This controversy would never have happened without political intervention. Therefore, the KPK must reveal who the "political cowboy" is. The KPK must be honest and open to the public," he said.
"If there is indeed an intervention, then the parties involved must be revealed in a clear manner. The deterrent effect is not only aimed at corruptors, but also at actors behind the scenes who try to influence the legal process," continued Praswad.
In addition, the KPK must also dare to ensure that similar incidents will not happen again. "The biggest threat comes from political actors who try to manipulate the legal process from behind the scenes. The public must be placed as the main ally in eradicating corruption. When civil society speaks, that is where the last bastion of legal integrity can be maintained," he said.
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.
The KPK claims that the change in status from prison detention to house arrest has been reviewed and is 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 again detained Yaqut at the Red and White KPK Branch Detention Center on Tuesday, March 24. This process began with a health examination first at Bhayangkara Hospital Tk. I. R. Said Sukanto, East Jakarta on Monday, March 23.
The Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, had spoken out about this controversy and said that the change in Yaqut's status as a prisoner was a strategy for investigating the alleged corruption in determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 hajj. He even said there was new progress in the case.
However, this controversy has led a number of parties to report the KPK leadership to the KPK Supervisory Board. One of those who submitted a report was Boyamin Saiman as the Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI).
Boyamin suspects that the five heads of the anti-corruption commission allowed outside interference and did not report it to the KPK Dewas. In addition, he also questioned the aspect of information openness which was considered not to be carried out by the KPK in the transfer process.
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