Former Religion Minister Yaqut's Words as KPK Escorts Him to Detention Vehicle
Former Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has reiterated that he did not accept any financial gain whatsoever in the alleged corruption case involving additional hajj quotas.
Yaqut made this statement whilst being escorted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) from the Red and White Building in Jakarta to a detention vehicle for transfer to a holding facility. As he was led away, Yaqut wore the distinctive orange KPK detention uniform with his hands shackled. KPK officers and police personnel accompanied him.
“I never accepted a single rupiah from the case I am accused of, and I implemented all these policies solely for the safety of pilgrims,” Yaqut said moments before being escorted to the detention vehicle at KPK headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday (12 March) evening.
Yaqut and his special staff member Ishfah Abidal Aziz, also known as Gus Alex, have been named as suspects in the alleged hajj quota corruption case.
Before being detained, the KPK requested that the Directorate General of Immigration prevent Yaqut and Ishfah from leaving the country for six months until 12 August 2026.
During the ongoing investigation, the KPK has conducted searches at multiple locations including Yaqut’s residence in Condet, East Jakarta; hajj and umrah travel agency offices in Jakarta; the home of a Religion Ministry civil servant in Depok; and the office of the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah (PHU) at the Religion Ministry.
Numerous items suspected to be evidence related to the case have been seized, including documents, electronic evidence, vehicles, and property.
According to calculations by the State Audit Board (BPK), the state suffered losses totalling Rp622,090,207,166.41 (Rp622 billion) from the alleged corruption case involving additional hajj quotas for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
The KPK finally detained Yaqut today following the completion of further questioning at the Red and White Building. Yaqut had been undergoing questioning since the afternoon. During the questioning, dozens to hundreds of members of Banser, the paramilitary wing of the Ansor Youth Movement of the Islamic boarding school network PBNU, gathered outside the KPK building.
The Banser members remain present. They believe Yaqut is being criminalised for policies he implemented.
“The KPK is tyrannical, the KPK is tyrannical,” they repeatedly chanted outside the KPK building.