KPK Responds to MAKI Criticism on Yaqut's House Arrest Status

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has responded to the strong criticism from the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) regarding the change in detention status of hajj quota corruption suspect Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to house arrest. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the criticism is seen as a form of public expression that is received positively. “KPK views this as a form of public expression that we receive positively,” Budi said in a written statement on Wednesday (25/3). Budi also said that the agency is always open to various aspirations. According to him, public participation is an important element in maintaining the integrity and accountability of the KPK as an institution. “As a law enforcement agency, KPK is always open to various criticisms, suggestions, and constructive inputs in efforts to eradicate corruption,” Budi said. “Public participation, in various forms, is an important element in maintaining the integrity and accountability of the institution,” he added. Therefore, KPK will continue to open spaces for public participation. This includes opening active roles for the public in supporting prevention and enforcement efforts against corruption. “KPK positions the public as a strategic partner in eradicating corruption. Not only actively supporting prevention and enforcement efforts, the public also has an important function as a watchdog that ensures every process runs transparently and accountably,” Budi said. “Therefore, KPK will continue to keep public participation spaces open, as part of the commitment to deliver clean, professional, and integrity-based law enforcement,” he continued. Previously, MAKI coordinator Boyamin Saiman said that the reasons given by KPK for changing Yaqut’s status were unclear, highly surprising, and disappointing because it was done secretly. Boyamin urged the KPK Supervisory Board to investigate KPK over the status change. “The Supervisory Board of KPK must quickly carry out this process as a suspected ethical code violation without waiting for public complaints,” Boyamin told reporters on Sunday (22/3). According to him, this KPK decision even breaks the MURI record since its establishment in 2003. Because, until now, it has never transferred detention status, let alone done so secretly. “This is very disappointing, unless it was announced from the beginning, no problem. But this was done secretly and even the reason was additional examination of other detainees. But it turns out he didn’t return. This is truly disappointing behaviour from KPK. It has broken the record, done secretly, and not even announced,” he said. Boyamin also compared KPK’s treatment of Yaqut and the late Papua Governor Lukas Enembe. According to him, KPK did not easily grant suspension or release to Lukas, who was clearly ill at the time.