Anti-Corruption Commission Absent from Pre-trial Hearing, Assures Return Next Week

The initial hearing of the pre-trial review for former Religious Affairs Minister, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, also known as Gus Yaqut, regarding his suspect status in the hajj quota corruption case, was postponed due to the absence of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The KPK has assured that it will attend the next hearing. “Of course, we respect the process, and today the hearing has commenced. We will certainly be present at the next scheduled hearing,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Tuesday (24 February 2026). The KPK was not present today because it had to attend several other pre-trial reviews. A letter requesting the postponement had also been submitted. “So, indeed, all the teams were deployed today to attend four pre-trial hearings,” he said. The KPK affirmed that all the necessary procedures in the investigation of this case have been followed. The facts will be clearly presented during the trial. Budi also explained that together with the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), they had visited Saudi Arabia and found that the facilities for hajj pilgrims there were very good. Therefore, Yaqut’s argument for dividing the quota 50-50 in this case is inappropriate. “We went to Saudi Arabia together with a team of auditors from the BPK to check the availability of facilities for hajj pilgrims, and they are already very adequate and good for the organisation of the hajj, so we think that the reason (for the 50-50 division) is not appropriate,” he said. The KPK also assured that it can still detain Yaqut during the pre-trial process because the pre-trial process does not interfere with the case proceedings. “It does not interfere with the process. As evidenced by today, there was also a summons for witnesses for the case. So, it is possible (to detain him),” he said. It is known that the pre-trial hearing for Yaqut, which was scheduled for today, was postponed due to the absence of the KPK. The hearing has been rescheduled for 3 March. Gus Yaqut also explained his defence regarding the 2024 hajj quota corruption case, in which he is a suspect. He said that the case he is facing is a lesson for every leader. “This is a lesson for every leader in making policy. That is, the policies taken, even if they involve humanitarian considerations, may still be questioned,” said Yaqut after the pre-trial hearing at the South Jakarta District Court on Tuesday (24 February). Yaqut said that leaders should not be afraid to make policies. He said that Indonesia is a nation that is courageous. “But that should not make our leaders afraid to make policies that benefit society, the nation and the country. Indonesia cannot be built with leaders who are afraid,” he said. He then explained the reason for dividing the additional hajj quota in 2024 into 50 percent for special hajj quotas and 50 percent for regular hajj quotas. Yaqut said that the division of the quota was part of safeguarding the lives of pilgrims. “The only consideration I made when determining the division of the quota was hifdzun nafs, which is to protect the lives of pilgrims due to the limited space available in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “And we must also know that the jurisdiction of the hajj is in Saudi Arabia. So, it is not solely the responsibility of the Indonesian government. The jurisdiction is there. We are bound by the regulations in Saudi Arabia, including the division of the quota because there is a Memorandum of Understanding,” he added.