ICW Suspects Interference in KPK's Decision to Place Yaqut under House Arrest

The shift in detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) to house arrest has sparked desires among other detainees for similar arrangements. Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) considers this understandable. “For ICW, granting special privileges to YCQ will have a snowball effect on other KPK detainees. It will create the impression of preferential treatment,” said ICW researcher Wana Alamsyah to reporters on Friday (27/3/2026). Wana urged the KPK Supervisory Board (Dewas) to intervene regarding the KPK’s policy that temporarily shifted Yaqut to house arrest. He also called on the KPK to firmly refrain from making similar status changes for other detainees. “Therefore, ICW urges the Dewas to immediately step in and conduct an examination of the KPK leadership and its ranks who granted privileges to the corruption perpetrator,” he stated. “Furthermore, there should be no more special treatment for other detainees,” he added. Additionally, ICW suspects external interference in the shift of Yaqut’s detention status. “And if there is suspicion of intervention from external parties, it is important for the KPK to report it transparently and accountably,” he said. Another ICW researcher, Almas Sjafrina, demanded that the KPK clearly explain to the public the reasons behind placing Yaqut under house arrest. “We assess that the KPK should instead stop the practice of shifting detainees without clear and urgent reasons,” said Almas. “If it continues, this will violate the principle of equality before the law and open up room for conflicts of interest,” she added. Suspended Riau Governor Requests House Arrest. Suspended Riau Governor Abdul Wahid is undergoing a prosecution hearing for alleged extortion of his subordinates at the Riau Public Works Service Unit (UPT Dinas PUPR Riau) at the Pekanbaru Corruption Court (PN Tipikor). During the hearing, Abdul Wahid’s legal counsel requested that his client be placed under house arrest, similar to former Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. The request was made by Abdul Wahid’s legal counsel during the prosecution reading agenda. Three defendants were present: Abdul Wahid, Arief Setiawan, and Dani Nursallam. First, the legal counsel will challenge the KPK prosecutor’s indictment. Second, they requested separation during the trial process for various reasons, including cramped rooms and multiple legal counsels. “We request that the examination of the three defendants be conducted separately. This is to allow the panel of judges to focus more on the evidence in the future,” said Abdul Wahid’s legal counsel after the indictment hearing, as reported by detikSumut on Thursday (26/3). Next, the legal counsel raised the third point. It was a request to shift Abdul Wahid’s detention from Pekanbaru Detention Centre to house arrest. The legal counsel also explained the reasons for the request. One of them was the recent shift in detention for Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and health reasons. “Third, the defendant also wishes to request a shift in detention from rutan detention to house arrest. This is based on Article 108 paragraphs 5 and 11 of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) and the consideration of the precedent from one of the suspects, Mr YC, who was shifted to house arrest. The reasons are the defendant’s health, Mr Abdul Wahid, and a family guarantee letter for Mr Abdul Wahid,” said the legal counsel.