KPK Leadership Urged to Appear Publicly and Explain Transfer of Yaqut's Detention

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Praswad Nugraha has urged the KPK leadership to explain the reasons for transferring the detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.

“The KPK leadership must step forward honourably to answer this public question as clearly as possible: is it true that in this era, corruptors can enjoy house arrest?” said Praswad Nugraha, when contacted by Kompas.com on Monday (23/3/2026).

Praswad alluded to the explanation from KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo, who stated that the transfer of detention is at the discretion of the investigators.

According to him, this answer is unreasonable and seems to shift responsibility to the field operatives.

Praswad encouraged the KPK leadership to explain the transfer of detention for Yaqut to the public.

“If there is indeed political pressure on the KPK, point out who the person is, let’s bring it into the open; let the individual take responsibility for their actions directly in front of the public,” he emphasised.

Praswad stated that the KPK should not allow negotiations that could damage the law enforcement system that has been built since the anti-corruption agency was established.

It was previously reported that the KPK transferred the detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas from rutan detention to house arrest.

“Investigators have transferred the type of detention for the suspect Mr YCQ, from detention in the KPK Rut an to house arrest, since Thursday night (19/3/2026),” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in his statement on Saturday (21/3/2026).

Budi said that this detention transfer was carried out based on a request from the family submitted on Tuesday (17/3/2026).

Budi stated that this detention transfer is only temporary.

Yaqut only spent about seven days, or one week, in prison.

He was officially detained by the KPK since Thursday night (12/3/2026).

As of the publication of this news, the official explanation regarding the decision to transfer the detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to house arrest still fully comes from the KPK’s operational side.

The KPK leadership or the KPK Chairman have not yet provided comments or direct statements regarding the polemic that has sparked public criticism.