Following Gus Yaqut's Arrest, the Corruption Eradication Commission Detains Gus Alex in the Hajj Quota Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) decided to detain Ishfah Abidal Aziz (IAA), also known as Gus Alex, the former special staff to the minister of religious affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, on Tuesday 17 March 2026. Alex was initially questioned by the KPK in his capacity as a corruption suspect in the hajj quota case.
Alex was observed leaving the interrogation room wearing the distinctive orange detention vest of the KPK at 14:40 Western Indonesian Time. He was subsequently escorted to a KPK detention vehicle.
“I respect the legal process that is currently taking place,” said Gus Alex as he departed from the crowd of journalists questioning him.
In this case, the KPK had previously named Yaqut as a suspect alongside former Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs Isfan Abidal Aziz, alias Gus Alex.
Yaqut is alleged to have violated Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of Law No. 31 of 1999 as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Offences, in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) clause 1 of the Criminal Code.
The KPK subsequently ordered the detention of suspect Yaqut for the first 20 days from 12 to 31 March 2026. The detention was conducted at the State Detention House (Rutan) Branch of the Red and White Building of the KPK. Alex was detained by the KPK at a later date.
At the KPK building, Gus Alex denied receiving any orders or monetary transfers related to the hajj quota case from former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. “There were none. There were no orders whatsoever from Gus Yaqut,” said Gus Alex.
When further pressed on who had ordered him, he stated that he had already provided relevant information to the investigators of the Corruption Eradication Commission.
“I have already provided everything to the investigators. I have provided much information. You should go directly to the investigators or my legal counsel, my legal team,” he said.