Former Religion Minister Yaqut Denies Receiving Any Funds in Hajj Quota Corruption Case

JAKARTA — Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has claimed he never received any funds in connection with the alleged corruption case involving the hajj quota in the 2023-2024 pilgrimage salvation programme.

Yaqut made this statement whilst wearing a detention vest from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) following his interrogation as a suspect.

“I have never received a single rupiah from the charges levelled against me, and I implemented all these policies solely for the safety of pilgrims,” Yaqut said at the Red and White Building in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

According to Kompas.com observations, Yaqut left the interrogation room at 18:48 WIB.

Meanwhile, members of the Banser (Barisan Ansor Serbaguna) militia who were demonstrating in front of KPK headquarters shouted and called out Yaqut’s name.

“Yaqut, Yaqut, Yaqut,” they chanted.

Earlier, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas had responded to the Corruption Eradication Commission’s summons at the Red and White Building in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026. Yaqut was scheduled to be questioned as a suspect in the alleged hajj quota corruption case.

According to Kompas.com’s monitoring, Yaqut arrived at the KPK at 13:00 WIB.

“I am responding to the KPK investigators’ invitation, in the name of God,” Yaqut said.

“This is an opportunity for me to provide testimony,” he added.

Yaqut also denied reports that he had requested a postponement of his interrogation today.

“There was no such request,” he stated.

When asked about his detention today, Yaqut did not respond seriously.

“Ask yourself,” he said.