Former Minister of Religion Yaqut Officially Detained by KPK, Hands Shackled

Former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Choulil Qoumas has been officially detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Yaqut was designated as a suspect in a hajj quota corruption case in January.

Yaqut descended from the second floor of the examination room at 18:45 Western Indonesian Time on Thursday (12 March 2026). Yaqut was already wearing an orange detention uniform with both hands shackled.

Yaqut appeared today to answer the KPK’s summons for questioning. He arrived at 13:05 WIB accompanied by his legal advisory team.

Yaqut spoke after being detained. He claimed he never received any money. “I never received a single rupiah from the case that has been alleged against me,” said Yaqut as he was led away by the KPK.

Yaqut also stated that during his tenure as Minister of Religion, he made policies for Indonesian pilgrims. “And I made all these policies solely for the safety of pilgrims,” he said.

Yaqut was designated as a suspect in early January 2026. Yaqut previously challenged the suspect status from the KPK through the courts.

However, Yaqut’s pre-trial motion was rejected by the judge. The judge stated that the KPK’s designation of Yaqut as a suspect was in accordance with proper procedure and applicable regulations.

The judge stated that the scope of pre-trial examination only assessed formal aspects. “We reject the petitioner’s pre-trial motion in full,” said sole judge Sulistyo Muhamad Dwi Putro when reading out the pre-trial decision No. 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL at South Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (11 March).