Former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas Answers KPK Summons, Stays Guarded on Potential Detention

Former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas answered the summons from investigators of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday, 12 March, in the afternoon. His appearance marked the first time since the South Jakarta District Court rejected his pre-trial lawsuit challenging his legal status.

Yaqut arrived at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Kuningan at approximately 13:00 local time, accompanied by his legal advisors and several colleagues. Wearing a batik shirt, the former minister under President Joko Widodo’s administration appeared reserved when bombarded with questions by journalists waiting for him in the building’s corridor.

Journalists asked whether he was prepared for his immediate detention following today’s questioning. In response, Yaqut gave a brief reply: “Ask yourself.”

The summons came just one day after Judge Sulistyo Muhammad Dwi Putro of the South Jakarta District Court rejected all of Yaqut’s pre-trial motions on Wednesday, 11 March. In his ruling, the judge stated that the KPK’s designation of Yaqut as a suspect met all applicable legal procedures, including the satisfaction of the requirement for a minimum of two valid pieces of evidence. The judge also rejected evidence submitted by Yaqut’s side, including a collection of news articles, which he found to be merely informational and not legally relevant for overturning the suspect status.

Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Prosecution and Execution at the KPK, who attended the hearing, praised the judge’s decision. He stated that the ruling confirmed that the KPK’s investigation had complied with legal procedures.

The KPK formally designated Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as a suspect in a case involving alleged corruption related to the diversion of additional hajj quotas and the organisation of the 2024 hajj pilgrimage at the Ministry of Religion. Yaqut is suspected of involvement alongside his former special advisor, Ishfah Abidal Aziz, alias Gus Alex. Both are charged under Articles 2 and 3 of the Corruption Offences Law regarding state financial losses.

At the time of reporting, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas remained undergoing intensive questioning on the second floor of the KPK’s investigation office building.