KPK Denies Secretly Changing Yaqut's Detention Status

Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has denied that the transfer of former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas’s detention status to house arrest was carried out covertly. KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu also refuted any external intervention regarding the detention transfer. Asep stated that the process for changing Yaqut’s detention status was in accordance with procedures, specifically Article 108 Paragraphs 1 and 11 of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) No. 20 of 2025. Asep admitted to participating in the leadership-level meeting that decided on the transfer of Yaqut’s detention status. He said that the results of the meeting would naturally be reported to the KPK Supervisory Board (Dewas) in line with the reporting requirements for such KPK authorities. “I attended that meeting; I was one of those present. So, this will be reported to the Dewas. Of course, the Supervisory Board will review how the decision was made. Just wait and see,” he said. Yaqut’s detention status was changed to house arrest on 19 March 2026, after previously being held at the KPK Detention Centre since 12 March 2026 following his designation as a suspect. However, just a few days later, the KPK again changed Yaqut’s detention status back to detention centre custody effective 23 March 2026. Upon arriving at the KPK building on 24 March 2026, Yaqut claimed that the transfer to house arrest was at his request. In this case, Yaqut is charged as a suspect in the alleged corruption of the 2023-2024 Hajj quota, with state losses amounting to Rp 622 billion.