KPK Examines Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut to Probe Involvement of Other Parties
Former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ), was examined by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) today, Wednesday (25/3). This examination is being conducted to delve into the involvement of other parties while accelerating the filing of the suspected corruption case in the organisation and distribution of Hajj quotas at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag).
“This examination is a quick and progressive step by the investigators to promptly complete the investigation file for the Hajj quota case,” stated KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in a written statement on Wednesday (25/3).
Budi was not yet willing to detail the specific questions that the investigators would pose to Yaqut. However, he emphasised that the testimony from the former Minister of Religious Affairs is very necessary to probe the involvement of other parties suspected of having central roles in this case.
“In addition, the examination in this case is also needed to continue probing the alleged possibility of other parties having central roles in the suspected criminal act of corruption,” added Budi.
In this case, the KPK has named Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) and former Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs, Isfan Abidal Aziz (IAA) alias Gus Alex, as suspects. The anti-corruption agency is committed to swiftly completing the investigation so that this case can proceed to trial as soon as possible.
The core allegation of corruption in this case lies in the distribution of Hajj quotas, which is deemed to violate legal regulations. From a total of 20,000 additional quotas provided to expedite the Hajj waiting list, the government should have allocated 92% for regular Hajj and 8% for special Hajj. However, in its implementation, the distribution was instead made equal at 50% each.
The KPK is directly examining Yaqut Cholil Qoumas after he was returned to detention. The investigation into the Rp622 billion Hajj quota corruption is being accelerated.
Former KPK Spokesperson Febri Diansyah assessed that the transfer of Yaqut’s detention is legally valid, provided there are no transactional elements. This is his explanation.
Observers have criticised the Corruption Eradication Commission’s policy that temporarily granted house arrest status to former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
A member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Abdullah, has asked the Corruption Eradication Commission to provide a detailed explanation regarding the polemic of transferring Yaqut Cholil Qoumas’s detention status.
The KPK’s step regarding the transfer of detention status for former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, to house arrest ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2026 undermines public trust.
The former Minister of Religious Affairs for the 2020-2024 period was examined in the suspected corruption case involving Hajj quotas and the organisation of Hajj worship, which caused state losses of around Rp622 billion.
The KPK is directly examining Yaqut Cholil Qoumas after he was returned to detention. The investigation into the Rp622 billion Hajj quota corruption is being accelerated.
Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has become a house detainee. Former KPK investigator Yudi Purnomo Harahap has asked the KPK to temporarily halt the transfer of detention status.
Former KPK Spokesperson Febri Diansyah assessed that the transfer of Yaqut’s detention is legally valid, provided there are no transactional elements. This is his explanation.
It is difficult to dispel public suspicion that there are major forces influencing the direction of law enforcement.