Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Called in by KPK Following Pre-trial Dismissal; Will He Be Detained?
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has scheduled an examination of former Religious Affairs Minister (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas for Thursday, 12 March 2026. This summons follows the dismissal of Yaqut’s pre-trial motion at the South Jakarta District Court (PN Jaksel) on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
The KPK stated that the summons letter to Yaqut has already been sent, and the agency is now awaiting his compliance with the order.
“When was the summons issued? It was sent last week for this week. We will wait and see, at the end of the week. Thursday is part of the end of the week,” said Asep Guntur Rahayu, KPK’s Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
Asep confirmed that the hajj quota case against Yaqut would proceed following the dismissal of the pre-trial motion.
“Of course, with the rejection of his pre-trial motion, our obligation is to continue immediately. Although the case has been ongoing, we respect the pre-trial process that has been underway,” said Asep.
Asep also expressed appreciation for the conclusion of Yaqut’s pre-trial process, enabling legal proceedings to continue.
“Now we are more focused on quickly settling this hajj quota case, particularly in the investigation process, so it can soon proceed to trial,” said Asep.
Regarding the Thursday summons, Asep declined to confirm whether Yaqut would be immediately detained.
“We will see,” said Asep.
The single judge at the South Jakarta District Court, Sulistyo Muhammad Dwi Putro, rejected the pre-trial motion filed by former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. The verdict for case number 19/Pid.Pra/2026 was read on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
“The pre-trial motion is rejected in its entirety,” said Sulistyo on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
The judge found that Yaqut’s designation as a suspect was properly based on a Constitutional Court decision and the Supreme Court Regulation (Perma) Number 4 of 2016. Therefore, the judge rejected all of Yaqut’s requests in full. The judge also determined that the grounds of Yaqut’s pre-trial motion constituted the merits of the case.
“The applicant is obliged to bear all legal costs arising from this motion, the amount of which will be determined in the operative part of this verdict,” said Sulistyo.