KPK Deputy's Response After Being Reported to Supervisory Board Over Yaqut's House Arrest

Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Asep Guntur Rahayu, provided a response after being reported by the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) to the KPK Supervisory Board.

The report was submitted in connection with the controversy surrounding the transfer of house detention for former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, who is a suspect in the alleged hajj quota corruption case.

Asep stated that he welcomed the report, as he views it as a form of support and concern for the KPK in handling the hajj quota case.

“We certainly welcome it and thank the people of Indonesia, especially MAKI in this case, because it is a form of support and concern for us in handling this hajj quota case,” Asep told reporters at the KPK’s Red and White Building on Thursday (26/3).

“Because with that support and attention, the public will be updated on the handling of the case and the steps we are taking,” he added.

Asep further explained that public expressions of disappointment actually serve as support for the KPK to accelerate the progress of the hajj case.

“We are very grateful to the people of Indonesia, meaning that with the information conveyed to us and such support, it proves that today we can accelerate; yesterday we examined Mr YCQ, and today there is very positive progress that we will announce on Monday,”

Asep also clarified that the decision to change Yaqut’s detention status to house arrest was made with various institutional considerations.

“So, regarding that request, it has of course been discussed in a meeting or exposition, so it is not a personal decision; it is an institutional decision. And it certainly considers first whether the legal norms are present or not,” he said.

Previously, MAKI filed a complaint regarding the alleged violation in transferring the detention of the hajj quota corruption suspect Yaqut to the KPK Supervisory Board on Wednesday (25/3).

MAKI Coordinator, Boyamin Saiman, revealed that several parties were reported, namely the KPK leadership as a whole, KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo, and KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu.

MAKI has also sent a letter to the House of Representatives’ Commission III to form a working committee (panja) to delve into the controversy over the KPK’s transfer of Yaqut to house detention.

The letter was sent via the DPR RI’s online complaint website. MAKI Coordinator Boyamin Saiman opined that the DPR working committee is needed as external oversight for the KPK.