KPK Claims Public Reaction Was Considered When Placing Yaqut Under House Arrest
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) claims it has considered the impact of public reactions when placing former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, or Gus Yaqut, under house arrest. The KPK states that the switch to house arrest is an institutional decision.
“Of course, in that meeting, this matter was also discussed,” said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu at the KPK Building in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Thursday (26/3/2026).
Asep admitted to having directly participated in the meeting that determined the switch to house arrest. He said that the decision-making process would be reported to the Supervisory Board (Dewas).
“I attended that meeting; I was one of those present. So, this will be reported to the Dewas. Naturally, the Supervisory Board will review how the decision was made. Just wait and see,” he stated.
Asep said he has not yet received a summons from the Dewas regarding the report submitted by the Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI), Boyamin Saiman. He explained that the considerations for switching Yaqut to house arrest included the investigation strategy for handling the case and other impacts.
“Furthermore, as mentioned, considerations were also given to issues of impact and so on. Additionally, considerations related to the strategy for handling this case itself,” he said.
Asep understands the disappointment emerging from the public regarding the controversy over Yaqut’s switch to house arrest. He views the public’s criticism as a form of support for the KPK.
“As my colleagues mentioned, there is disappointment from the public. In fact, that is a form of support for us. We are very grateful to the Indonesian public, meaning that with the information provided to us and such support, it proves that today we can accelerate,” said Asep.
“Yesterday, we were able to examine Mr YCQ, and today there has been very positive progress that we will announce on Monday. Without public support, this would not have happened, and the case handling might have taken longer,” he added.
Furthermore, Asep emphasised that there was no external interference regarding Yaqut’s switch to house arrest. He said the switch was carried out in accordance with applicable procedures and legal norms.
“As I mentioned earlier, we see that the legal norms exist. In the old law, it’s in the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), specifically in Law No. 8 of 1981, regulated in Articles 22 and 23. In Law No. 20 of 2025 or the new KUHAP, it’s regulated in Article 108, from paragraphs 1 to 11, so those are the legal norms,” he stated.
It is known that Yaqut’s detention was switched to house arrest since Thursday (19/3). KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said that house arrest for Yaqut was implemented after the KPK received a request from his family.
Yaqut’s detention was switched back to prison detention on Monday (23/3). The KPK has re-detained Yaqut after he underwent a series of health tests.