JAKARTA - The change in the status of the detention of former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas from a house of detention (rutan) to a controversial house of detention. The palace is rumored to have intervened.
Based on information obtained by VOI, there are palace officials who contacted the head of the KPK asking Yaqut to be released from the Red and White KPK Branch Detention Center. This request came after Yaqut had twice applied for a suspension of detention but was rejected.
"The KPK leadership decided to transfer the YCQ house prisoner because of a request from the Palace," said the source when talking to VOI, Sunday night, March 22.
This source did not elaborate further on the palace party who contacted the KPK leadership.
However, the transfer of Yaqut's detention status was discussed in a forum before the former minister of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) finally left the cell on Thursday, March 19.
Meanwhile, KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo has not given any explanation about the news. However, he conveyed that the transfer of Yaqut's status as a prisoner was based on a request from the family that was sent on Tuesday, March 17.
"Based on the request, it was then reviewed and granted," Budi told reporters in a written statement, Saturday, March 21.
Until this news was written, there was no confirmation from the Palace regarding the news of the alleged intervention on Yaqut's status.
The application, continued Budi, 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.
Furthermore, Budi also explained that this transfer was only temporary. "KPK will continue to carry out inherent supervision and security to the person concerned," he said.
"We ensure that the process of transferring detention for a temporary period is in accordance with the provisions and procedures for investigation and detention of a suspect. Likewise, the handling of this case will continue to run in accordance with the applicable legal provisions," he continued.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Budi emphasized that the investigating authorities decided on the status of the detention of suspects in the corruption case. So, if anyone applies for a request like Yaqut, they are welcome and will be further investigated.
"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.
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).
"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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