Expedited pretrial hearing to decide Yaqut Cholil Qoumas's fate as Hajj-quota corruption suspect next week

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.COM - The pretrial lawsuit filed by former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas against the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will be expedited and ruled next week. The single judge of the South Jakarta District Court (PN Jaksel), Sulistyo Muhammad Dwi Putro, said the hearing must be conducted marathon-style because the proceedings are time-bound. ‘This hearing schedule is informal, but the parties are asked not to haggle over the timetable because the pretrial examination is time-bound,’ Sulistyo said at the South Jakarta District Court on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. He noted that on Wednesday (4 March 2026) today, the hearing will comprise three agendas at once: the respondent’s answer, the applicant’s rejoinder, and the respondent’s sur-reply. Meanwhile, on Friday (6 March 2026), the respondent will present evidence, including documentary evidence, witnesses, and expert witnesses. The final submissions session is scheduled for Monday (9 March 2026). Sulistyo stated there will be no hearings on 10 March as that day will be used to draft the ruling. ‘The ruling will be read on 11 March,’ he concluded when announcing the schedule. Yaqut himself did not attend the hearing on Tuesday (3 March 2026) yesterday and entrusted the praperadilan process to his legal counsel. ‘He has clearly conveyed to us, entrusted us, and we are carrying it out as best as we can,’ said Mellisa Anggraini, Yaqut’s counsel, on Tuesday. Even without his client, the team has officially delivered all the main requests, including the objection points and demands presented to the court. Mellisa said Yaqut had never received the letter appointing him as a suspect that fully detailed the case and the rights of the suspect.