First Pretrial Hearing of Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Against KPK Held Today
The first pretrial hearing on the lawsuit challenging the suspect status imposed by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, known as Gus Yaqut, in connection with the 2024 hajj quota corruption case was held today. Gus Yaqut’s legal counsel confirmed that their team would be present at the inaugural hearing.
The first hearing took place at the South Jakarta District Court on Tuesday (24/2/2026), with proceedings scheduled to commence at 10:00 Western Indonesian Time.
The applicant in the case, registered under number 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL, is Yaqut, whilst the respondent is the KPK, specifically the KPK Leadership.
“Present — the full team will be present,” said Yaqut’s lawyer, Mellisa Anggraini, to reporters on Tuesday (24/2/2026).
Mellisa indicated there was a possibility that Gus Yaqut himself would also attend the hearing, though she noted that they were still assessing the developing situation.
“Possibly [he will attend], we’re still watching the situation,” she said.
Previously, Gus Yaqut mounted a challenge against his designation as a suspect in the alleged 2024 hajj quota corruption case. The KPK has expressed its readiness to face Yaqut’s legal challenge.
Yaqut filed his pretrial motion regarding the validity of his suspect designation at the South Jakarta District Court on Tuesday (10/2). The lawsuit was registered under case number 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL.
The KPK has no objection to Yaqut filing the pretrial lawsuit, stating that it is the right of a suspect.
“The KPK respects the legal rights of suspect YCQ, who has filed a pretrial motion in the case of alleged corruption related to hajj quotas for the administration of Indonesian hajj pilgrimages in 2023–2024,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo.
He stated that the KPK conducted its preliminary investigation and full investigation in accordance with regulations, adding that the suspect designation was made only after sufficient evidence had been gathered.
“We ensure that every suspect designation is based on the sufficiency of valid evidence as stipulated in prevailing laws and regulations, both in formal and material aspects,” he said.
He noted that the State Audit Board (BPK), as the state auditor, had confirmed that hajj quotas fall within the scope of state finances. The KPK is still awaiting the finalisation of the calculation of state financial losses.
“The KPK ensures that the law enforcement process is carried out professionally, transparently, and accountably, whilst upholding the presumption of innocence and respecting the legal rights of the parties involved,” he said.