Former Minister of Religion Yaqut's Statements Upon KPK Detention

Former Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was formally detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on charges of corruption related to the hajj quota scheme. Yaqut maintained his innocence, asserting: “I have never received a single rupiah from the case alleged against me,” he stated when being taken into custody by the KPK on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

Yaqut also remarked that during his tenure as Minister of Religion, he had implemented policies solely for the benefit of Indonesian pilgrims. “And I implemented all these policies purely for the safety of the pilgrims,” he said.

Yaqut was designated as a suspect in early January 2026. He subsequently filed a pre-trial motion challenging his suspect status but this was rejected by the court. The judge ruled that the KPK’s designation of him as a suspect complied with applicable procedures and regulations.

The judge stated that the scope of pre-trial review was limited to procedural matters only. “I reject the pre-trial motion of the petitioner in its entirety,” said sole judge Sulistyo Muhamad Dwi Putro whilst delivering the pre-trial verdict number 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL at the South Jakarta District Court on Wednesday, 11 March.