Former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas Formally Questioned by Anti-Corruption Commission Following Failed Pre-Trial Challenge

Former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) finally responded to a summons from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigative team on Thursday, 12 March 2026. His appearance marked his first formal questioning as a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving the determination of hajj quotas and the administration of pilgrimage arrangements for 2023–2024.

KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed that Qoumas arrived at the KPK’s Red-White Building at approximately 13:10 Western Indonesia Standard Time. His attendance came just one day after the South Jakarta District Court rejected his pre-trial challenge on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

Upon arriving at the KPK building, Qoumas—surrounded by media personnel—was notably taciturn. When asked about his readiness should investigators decide to detain him that day, Qoumas gave a brief and curt response. “Ask yourself,” he said to journalists before entering the lift to the examination room.

Qoumas’s attitude reflected mounting legal pressure following the single judge at the South Jakarta District Court’s decision to uphold his legal status as a suspect in pre-trial ruling number 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL.

The case against Qoumas originated from an investigation opened by the KPK on 9 August 2025. Initially, the KPK estimated state losses exceeded Rp1 trillion and imposed international travel bans on three individuals, including Maktour pilgrim office owner Fuad Hasan Masyhur. However, based on the latest audit conducted by Indonesia’s Finance Inspection Board (BPK) received by the KPK on 27 February 2026, confirmed state losses reached Rp622 billion.

Beyond Qoumas, the KPK has also designated his special staff member Ishfah Abidal Aziz, known as Gus Alex, as a suspect. Both are strongly suspected of involvement in abuse of authority related to the setting of additional hajj quotas in violation of proper procedures.

At the time of reporting, Qoumas’s examination was ongoing on the second floor of the KPK’s Red-White Building. The public now awaits whether the anti-corruption agency will proceed directly with the detention of the former top official at the Ministry of Religion.