KPK Explains Reasons for Detaining Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut in Pilgrimage Quota Corruption Case

The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has explained the reasons for its delayed detention of former Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, despite his status as a suspect in a pilgrimage quota corruption case.

Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, stated that the commission needed to gather additional evidence related to the matter.

“Why did it take quite some time? Naturally, we did not want to rush. We wanted to first complete the evidence or ensure sufficiency of evidence for the purpose of conducting this enforcement action,” Asep said during a press conference at KPK headquarters on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

Asep noted that the sufficiency of evidence was tested during pre-trial proceedings decided on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

“The pre-trial motion filed by YCQ (Yaqut Cholil Qoumas) was rejected. This means that the designation of YCQ as a suspect by KPK investigators was correct both formally and substantively,” he stated.

Previously, it was reported that the Anti-Corruption Commission formally detained former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in the pilgrimage quota corruption case.

Yaqut was detained after undergoing questioning at KPK headquarters in his capacity as a suspect on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

Yaqut descended from the second-floor interrogation room at approximately 18:45 local time. He was wearing an orange detention vest with both hands shackled.

Yaqut asserted that he had never received any money whatsoever in connection with the alleged bribery case.

“I have never received a single rupiah from the case being alleged against me, and I conducted all these policies solely for the safety of pilgrims,” Yaqut said as he was taken to the detention vehicle on Thursday, 12 March 2026.