The KPK Is Considered To Be Widening Narratives Outside The Scope Of Gus Yaqut's Case

Yaqut Cholil Qoumas when fulfilling the KPK's call. (Tsa Tsia-VOI)

JAKARTA - The attorney for former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (Gus Yaqut), Mellisa Anggraini SH, MH, CLA, gave his response to the appeal from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to the 2024 Hajj pilgrims to be witnesses if they experience mismatch in service.

"The KPK is authorized to summon anyone as a witness. But appeals to the public should not deviate from the scope of the case," said Mellisa in Jakarta, Tuesday (19/8).

Case Substance vs. Hajj Service Issues

Mellisa emphasized that the core of the KPK investigation was the alleged state loss in the policy of distributing additional hajj quotas. Therefore, the relevant witnesses are only the parties directly involved in the policy process.

"If the KPK invites pilgrims to report about hotel services, catering, or placement, it is out of context. Field technical issues are not automatically related to quota corruption," he said.

He is worried that the KPK's appeal will lead public opinion as if all 2024 hajj problems are criminal acts of corruption. In fact, there is no evidence of a connection between the congregation's complaint and the alleged deviation of quotas.

The Risk Of Evidence In Court

Mellisa reminded that witness statements that are not relevant to the core of the case have the potential to be debated in court. "The witness presented because the service complaint can be considered to have no evidentiary value for the hajj quota case," he explained.

He urged the KPK to focus on real actions and elements of state losses in the additional quota policy, not expand the issue to the realm of service under the authority of the Ministry of Religion and Hajj organizers.

Previously, the anti-corruption agency insisted that all public reports would be reviewed to disclose the potential for overall deviation.

Criticism of this attorney highlighted the risk of overreach (excessive expansion) by the KPK authorities, which has the potential to obscure the focus of investigation and cause public bias.