KPK Maintains Close Surveillance on Former Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has assured that it will maintain tight surveillance on former Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, whose detention status has now been transferred to house arrest. This policy shift took effect from Thursday (19/03/2026) evening.

“During the implementation of this detention transfer, the KPK will continue to conduct close surveillance and security measures on the individual concerned,” stated KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in his remarks on Saturday (21/03/2026).

Yaqut was previously designated as a suspect in the alleged corruption case regarding the 2023-2024 Hajj quota.

Yaqut’s family submitted a request to transfer the detention period on Tuesday (17/03/2026).

KPK investigators subsequently approved the request, considering the applicable legal procedures.

“Investigators have transferred the type of detention for suspect YCQ from detention at the KPK Detention Centre to house arrest,” Budi said.

Budi emphasised that this process complies with Article 108 paragraphs (1) and (11) of Law No. 20 of 2025 on the Criminal Procedure Code. However, he underlined that the house arrest status is temporary for the purposes of the investigation.

In this case, the KPK has charged Yaqut under Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.

“The KPK has revealed that the state losses from this alleged Hajj quota corruption case amount to Rp 622 billion,” the KPK stated in a previous release.

Yaqut was officially detained for the initial 20 days from 12 to 31 March 2026.

Even with his current house arrest status, the legal process will continue as scheduled to deepen the investigation into the involvement of other parties in the Hajj quota scandal.