Former Religion Minister Yaqut Challenges KPK Through Pre-Trial Hearing, Says Truth Will Prevail

Jakarta — Former Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has expressed optimism that the truth will be revealed through the judicial process in his pre-trial hearing.

The hearing has been filed at Jakarta South District Court to challenge the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) decision regarding whether his designation as a suspect was lawful.

“I am confident that with an objective judiciary that I believe operates fairly, the truth will find its way no matter where and when,” Yaqut said on Monday, 9 March 2026.

He viewed the pre-trial hearing as an important opportunity to demonstrate that justice is genuinely being served in Indonesia.

Yaqut also commended single judge Sulistyo Muhamad, who is presiding over the pre-trial hearing, for conducting the proceedings firmly and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

“I believe the single judge is leading the pre-trial process with firmness so that everything can proceed well and smoothly. We have also witnessed today that everything is proceeding well,” he said.

Yaqut added that he has been following the pre-trial process from the beginning, attending hearings in person initially and subsequently following proceedings online.

“I have been following this pre-trial process from the start. Although I initially attended in person, I have since followed subsequent proceedings online,” he said.

“I am very grateful because there is mutual understanding between the expert witnesses for both the petitioner and respondent on several matters,” he added.

According to Yaqut, one key point of agreement among the experts concerns the process of designating suspects in corruption cases.

“Most importantly, both the witnesses from the petitioner and respondent understand that the designation of a suspect must follow a process or there must be evidence of state losses first,” he said.