JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that its investigators have the authority to decide on the status of the detention of suspects in corruption cases.
This was conveyed by KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo regarding the controversy over the status of the detention of former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas from the house of detention (prison) to house detention.
According to him, every prisoner has the right to make a request as Yaqut did.
"The application can be submitted, which will then be examined by the investigators," Budi told reporters, Sunday, March 22.
"Because the authority to detain is with the investigators," he continued.
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.
The change in status from prison 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.
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 to be a suspect in the corruption case for determining quotas and organizing the 2023-2024 hajj pilgrimage at 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.
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.
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.
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