Banser Supporters Disperse Following Detention of Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut After Receiving Message from NU Leader
Banser supporters gathered outside the KPK building in Jakarta on Thursday evening following the detention of former Religious Affairs Minister (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. The supporters only dispersed after hearing a message conveyed by PBNU leader Yahya Cholil Staquf.
Staquf’s message was delivered through a voice note sent to a supporter’s mobile phone at the location and subsequently broadcast through a vehicle’s loudspeaker system.
In the voice note, Yahya expressed gratitude for the concern shown by Banser members in providing moral support to Yaqut. Yahya, who is Yaqut’s brother, then requested that Banser members pray for the legal process to proceed correctly.
“Esteemed friends and members of Ansor, Banser, and Pagar Nusa. Thank you for your concern and we all appreciate your aspirations, and our collective aspiration is fully to witness and see an objective legal process carried out,” Yahya said in the voice recording on Thursday evening, 12 March 2026.
“Your aspirations have been conveyed. And now, let us ask Allah that He opens the hearts of all people so that, whatever may happen, justice shall be upheld through a proper process,” he continued.
Yahya also emphasised that every Ansor member was prepared to be held accountable for everything they had done. He stated that all aspirations had been expressed during the action and thus requested all Banser supporters to disperse.
“What is most important after this is that we are all prepared to account for everything we have done before Allah,” Yahya said.
“Now, after everything has been carried out and we have expressed our hearts and minds, I ask friends to strengthen their resolve, be patient, and I request that you return to your respective homes and places in an orderly manner,” he requested.
Furthermore, Yahya conveyed that the action of support for Yaqut would not cease. He requested that all parties together preserve truth so that no vested interests became involved in Yaqut’s legal process.
“Of course after this we will continue to propagate in order to safeguard and protect truth so that it is upheld correctly, upheld without blemish, upheld without any other interests that may taint it,” Yahya said.
“Once again I express my gratitude. If Allah provides the finest reward for all of you, I now request that all of you tidy yourselves and return to your respective places in an orderly manner. May He listen to our words and thoughts, and witness truth as it truly is,” he concluded.
Yaqut was formally detained by the KPK after being named as a suspect in a corruption case involving the hajj quota scheme. Following Yaqut’s detention, Banser supporters gathered outside the KPK shouted accusations that the KPK was unjust and burned clothing bearing the KPK logo.
Banser supporters began shouting “KPK is unjust” when Yaqut was led to a detention vehicle whilst wearing an orange vest. Banser supporters also approached the KPK fence to directly observe Yaqut’s condition.
After Yaqut entered the detention vehicle, Banser supporters continued shouting and proceeded to burn clothing bearing the KPK logo. Banser supporters also shook and attempted to break through the KPK fence to try to force their way inside.
However, the reacting Banser supporters were calmed by other Banser members. Police officers also maintained order among the Banser supporters.
The KPK ultimately detained former Religious Affairs Minister (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in a case involving corruption related to the hajj quota scheme. Yaqut was detained following his designation as a suspect in January 2026.
Yaqut descended from the second floor of the examination room at 18:45 WIB on Thursday, 12 March 2026. Yaqut was already wearing an orange vest with both hands shackled.