Back in the Orange Vest: Yaqut Returned to KPK Detention

Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) was finally returned to the KPK detention house in Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon (24/3). Previously, Yaqut’s status was changed to house arrest by the KPK on Thursday (19/3). Thus, unlike other KPK detainees, Yaqut experienced the takbir night and Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah at home. “Alhamdulillah, I was able to pay respects to my mother, an extraordinary blessing,” Yaqut told the media upon arriving at the KPK building in South Jakarta. Previously, news of Yaqut’s release from the KPK Detention House was revealed by the wife of former Deputy Manpower Minister Noel Ebenezer, who visited her husband on Eid Saturday afternoon (21/3). This was later confirmed by the KPK through spokesperson Budi Prasetyo. At that time, the KPK stated that Yaqut became a house detainee after the family’s request was granted. The KPK noted that the family’s request for the change to house arrest was not due to health reasons. However, today the KPK stated that Yaqut is experiencing health problems. The younger brother of PBNU General Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf is said to suffer from acute GERD and asthma. KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayupada revealed that a health check on Yaqut was conducted before changing his status to house arrest last week. From the health check results, it was found that Yaqut suffers from acute GERD. “We inform that one of the results of that health assessment is that the person in question suffers from acute GERD, and has undergone endoscopy and colonoscopy. I’m not too familiar with the medical terms, so colleagues can check later. He also suffers from asthma,” Asep said at the KPK building on Tuesday (24/3). Due to this condition, the KPK temporarily granted Yaqut’s request to become a house detainee in the alleged Hajj quota corruption case last Thursday. On Tuesday (24/3), the KPK has returned Yaqut’s detention to the state detention house located in the KPK building, Kuningan, South Jakarta. “We have returned the detention of Mr YCQ to the state detention house at K4 in this KPK building,” he said. He stated that returning Yaqut to detention is to ensure the case handling runs smoothly and quickly. “We extend our utmost thanks to all the public who have supported our processes and activities in handling this corruption crime,” Asep said. Yaqut arrived around 10:40 WIB this morning. He did not say much after arriving at the KPK. He only mentioned paying respects to his mother during Eid when he had house arrest status. “Alhamdulillah, I was able to pay respects to my mother,” Yaqut said briefly. Previously, the KPK stated that the change in Yaqut’s detention to house arrest was not due to health conditions. “Not because of illness,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo as quoted from detik.com on Sunday (21/3). Budi explained that house arrest for Yaqut was implemented after the KPK received a request from the family. The request was then reviewed and granted based on considerations in accordance with Article 108 paragraphs (1) and (11) of Law Number 20 of 2025 on the Criminal Procedure Code.