Controversy over Yaqut Cholil Qoumas's House Arrest, DPR Urges KPK to Provide Explanation
A member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Abdullah, has urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to provide an explanation regarding the status of former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as a house detainee. He assessed that the change in status from detention in a penitentiary to house arrest, which was subsequently revoked, has left many questions in society.
Abdullah emphasised that subjective reasons such as family requests are insufficient to explain the discretion taken by the anti-corruption agency in the case of alleged corruption in the hajj quota.
“The process of transferring from penitentiary detention to house arrest and back to penitentiary detention cannot be adequately explained merely because of a family request,” said Abdullah when contacted on Tuesday (24/3/2026).
Abdullah reminded the KPK that every policy taken should be based on thorough legal considerations, not merely a reaction to public pressure or the buzz on social media. He highlighted the phenomenon of eroding public trust if law enforcement only acts when monitored by netizens.
“Do not let the response be merely because of public spotlight. Thus, the term ‘no viral no justice’ that is currently circulating in society can be avoided,” he stressed.
The KPK transferred Yaqut’s detention from the penitentiary to house arrest on Thursday (19/3). The transfer was based on a request from the family on 17 March 2026.
The request was granted with considerations in accordance with Article 108 paragraphs (1) and (11) of Law No. 20 of 2025 on the Criminal Procedure Code.
On Monday (23/3), the KPK finally returned Yaqut’s status to penitentiary detention. Before being detained, Yaqut first underwent a health examination at the Kramat Jati Police Hospital.
Gus Yaqut is a suspect in the hajj quota case. He was named a suspect along with his former special staff, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex.
This hajj quota arrangement case occurred in 2023 and 2024. The hajj quota was allegedly arranged in such a way with fees as compensation.
The practice of demanding fee payments was carried out to Special Hajj Service Organisers (PIHK), or hajj travel agencies. The costs were then passed on by the PIHK to special hajj pilgrims in the package price.
Gus Yaqut and Gus Alex are suspected of playing a major role in arranging the hajj quota. The KPK stated that a number of fees flowed to both of them. However, the KPK has not detailed the exact amount.
Gus Yaqut and Gus Alex are suspected of violating the Corruption Eradication Law regarding state losses. According to the KPK, the state losses in this case amount to Rp 622 billion.
The KPK officially revoked the house arrest status of former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) and returned him to the KPK Detention House.
Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas suffers from acute GERD and asthma. This was known from Yaqut’s health examination at the Kramat Jati Police Hospital before being returned to detention at the KPK Detention House.
The KPK emphasised that Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is now detained in the penitentiary to accelerate the investigation of the hajj quota case and ensure legal certainty.