KPK Denies Changing Yaqut's House Arrest Status Due to Eid: This is a Case Handling Strategy
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) states that the change in detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to house arrest is part of the strategy for handling the alleged corruption case regarding the 2023–2024 Hajj quota.
KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu emphasised that the decision is not related to any specific moment, such as religious holidays.
“Is this going to be approved during religious holidays and the like? I reiterate that this is related to the case handling strategy like that,” Asep said at the KPK Red and White Building, Jakarta, on Thursday (26/3/2026).
“So it’s not about that (because of Eid), the focus is on how at each stage we look at the strategy that must be applied there,” he continued.
He referred to Articles 108(1) to 108(11) of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) No. 20 of 2025 as the legal basis.
“In Law No. 20 of 2025 or the new KUHAP, it is regulated in Article 108, there are paragraphs 1 to 11, so that is the legal norm,” he stated.
Asep admitted to being involved in the leadership meeting that decided on the change in Yaqut’s detention status.
“So this will also be reported to the Dewas. Of course, the Supervisory Board will examine how the decision was made. Just wait,” he said.
Previously, Yaqut was returned to the KPK Detention Centre (Rutan) on Tuesday (24/3/2026) after previously being on house arrest.
This change is the second time since he was first detained on 12 March 2026 after being named a suspect.
A week later, on 19 March 2026, his status was changed to house arrest at the family’s request, before being returned to detention centre status as of 23 March 2026.
KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the change was carried out in the alleged Hajj quota corruption case.
In this case, Yaqut is charged in connection with the alleged 2023–2024 Hajj quota corruption with state losses amounting to Rp 622 billion.
He was named a suspect by the KPK and underwent detention before his status changed several times.