Reported to Dewas KPK Regarding the Change of Status of Yaqut's Prisoner, Asep Guntur: A Form of Community Concern

Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Asep Guntur Rahayu appreciates the report submitted by the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) to the KPK Supervisory Board. This step is called a form of public concern.

This was conveyed by Asep who was reported to the KPK Supervisory Board by MAKI after the status of the former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was controversial. The suspect in the corruption case for determining the quota and the implementation of the 2023-2024 Hajj was known to have been under house arrest before being detained again at the KPK Red and White Building Branch Detention Center.

"I personally express my deepest gratitude for the report from MAKI to the Dewas KPK regarding the handling of the haj quota corruption case," Asep told VOI, Wednesday, March 25.

Asep said the report had been submitted through the right channels. So, he invited the Dewas KPK to follow up.

"For me personally, the report is a form of concern from the community, in this case MAKI, towards eradicating corruption which we are doing," he said.

"And most importantly, the report was conveyed through the correct channel, in this case to the Dewas KPK," continued the former KPK Investigation Director.

Meanwhile, KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said that the entire process in the investigation of the alleged corruption in determining quotas and the implementation of the 2023-2024 hajj, including the arrest of the suspects, was in accordance with the rules.

Likewise with the transfer of the status of detention of the former Minister of Religion Yaqut. He handed over all follow-up complaints to the KPK Supervisory Board.

"The KPK ensures that all processes and steps taken have been carried out in accordance with the mechanisms, procedures, and provisions of applicable laws and regulations," Budi said in a separate statement.

"We believe that the Supervisory Board will follow up on the report objectively, professionally, and independently," he continued.

As previously reported, the Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) Boyamin Saiman complained to the KPK Supervisory Board on Wednesday, March 25, about five leaders, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Spokesperson.

The report was made after the transfer of the status of detention of the former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as a suspect in the corruption case of determining quotas and the implementation of the 2023-2024 hajj.

"(Reported to the Dewas KPK, ed) all the KPK's Head, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, and Spokesperson," Boyamin said in a written statement, Wednesday, March 25.

Boyamin said there were several main complaints submitted to the KPK Supervisory Board. "First, the KPK leadership is suspected of allowing the KPK to be intervened by outside parties in carrying out the transfer of the house arrest of the suspect YCQ and not reporting the intervention to the KPK Supervisory Board," he said.

In addition, Boyamin highlighted the difference in statements between KPK officials regarding Yaqut's health condition when he was transferred to house arrest. According to him, Budi Prasetyo as KPK Spokesperson has given a different statement from the Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu regarding Yaqut's health.

"KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo gave information that the suspect YCQ was in good health when he was transferred from detention to house arrest, this is contrary to the Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK Asep Guntur who stated that YCQ was in a state of gout and asthma," explained Boyamin.

Then, Boyamin suspected that the decision to transfer the detention was not taken collectively by the KPK leadership. "So that makes it invalid and legally flawed," he said.

In addition, MAKI questioned the aspect of openness of information which was considered not to be carried out by the KPK in the transfer process. Boyamin compared it with the detention process which was carried out openly in front of the public.

"Unlike when the arrest was made, there was a publication of the suspect Yaqut Cholil Qoumas displayed in the KPK lobby, which was then escorted into the car with the spotlight of the journalist's camera."