KPK Apologises, MAKI Urges Investigation into Alleged Interference over Yaqut's House Arrest
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has expressed regret for the commotion caused by the change in detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to house arrest. The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) is calling for an investigation into the irregularities surrounding Yaqut’s house arrest transfer.
MAKI Coordinator Boyamin Saiman stated that KPK leadership must be transparent in explaining the house arrest transfer to the KPK Supervisory Board (Dewas). Allegations of external interference must be thoroughly examined.
“(The KPK) is willing to be open with the Dewas KPK regarding the process of transferring YCQ’s house arrest, including allegations of external interference. We are confident that there could not possibly have been pressure from external parties for the house arrest transfer because it has never happened before and the detainee’s condition is not ill (based on the KPK spokesperson’s statement),” said Boyamin in a written statement when contacted on Saturday (28/3/2026).
Boyamin also urged the KPK to remain focused on dismantling the Hajj quota corruption case involving Yaqut. The investigation must be conducted thoroughly without discrimination.
“Expose major and high-level corruption to restore public trust. Immediately designate private Hajj travel parties as suspects to complete the Hajj quota corruption framework, which has already named YCQ and Gus Alex as suspects,” stated Boyamin.
MAKI is known to have reported Yaqut’s detention status change to the Dewas KPK. Boyamin encouraged the Dewas KPK to continue processing the report despite the KPK’s apology.
“The Dewas KPK must still proceed with the process to uncover alleged deviations, including alleged interference. Subsequently, strict sanctions must be imposed to create a deterrent effect so that the KPK does not take matters lightly again and does not embarrass itself,” explained Boyamin.
KPK Apologises
The KPK has apologised for the decision to change Yaqut’s status to house arrest in the 2023-2024 Hajj quota corruption case. The apology was directly conveyed by KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu.
“We certainly, on this Eid holiday, apologise for the existing commotion,” said Asep to reporters at the KPK’s Merah Putih building in South Jakarta, as quoted on Friday (27/3).
Asep also claimed that the impact of public reaction was considered when making former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, or Gus Yaqut, house arrest. The KPK stated that the house arrest transfer was an institutional decision.
“Of course, in that meeting, such matters were also discussed,” said Asep.
Asep admitted to having directly participated in the meeting determining the house arrest transfer. He said how the decision was made would be reported to the Supervisory Board (Dewas).
“I attended that meeting on the matter; I was one of those who joined the meeting there. So, this will also be reported to the Dewas. Of course, at the Supervisory Board, it will be opened up how that decision was made. Just wait,” he said.