KPK Detains Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Following Interrogation in Hajj Quota Corruption Case

JAKARTA — The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has detained former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving hajj quotas for 2023-2024, on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

Yaqut was officially detained following his interrogation as a suspect at the KPK’s Red-White Building headquarters in Jakarta.

“Today, the KPK has detained the suspect, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, for an initial 20-day detention period from 12-31 March 2026. The detention is being carried out at the State Detention Centre (Rutan) at the KPK’s Red-White Building,” said Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, during a press conference at the Red-White Building.

Asep stated that Yaqut is being charged with violating Article 2(1) and/or Article 3 of Law No. 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Offences, as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001, in conjunction with Article 55(1) of Indonesia’s Criminal Code.

Yaqut made the statement whilst wearing a KPK detention vest following his interrogation as a suspect.

“I have never received a single rupiah from the case that has been alleged against me, and I carried out all of these policies solely for the safety of pilgrims,” said Yaqut at the Red-White Building.

According to monitoring by Kompas.com, Yaqut left the interrogation room at 18:48 Western Indonesian Time. Meanwhile, members of Banser (Barisan Ansor Serbaguna), a civic organisation, gathered outside the KPK building chanting Yaqut’s name in support.