KPK Reveals Reasons for Extended Detention of Former Religion Minister Yaqut in Hajj Quota Corruption Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has clarified its reasons for maintaining the extended detention of former Religion Minister (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ), despite his designation as a suspect in the hajj quota corruption case. The KPK stated that it continues to accumulate additional evidence in the matter.
“Why has the timeframe been quite lengthy? Certainly we did not wish to rush. We wanted to first complete the evidence or ensure sufficiency of evidence in order to undertake this coercive action,” explained KPK Deputy for Prosecution and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu during a press conference at KPK headquarters in South Jakarta on Thursday (12 March 2026).
Asep stated that all evidence obtained by investigators has further strengthened the KPK’s position for later presentation during trial. He also explained that the investigators’ sufficiency of evidence in designating Yaqut as a suspect was formally tested during a pretrial challenge filed by Yaqut at the South Jakarta District Court last week.
“Formally, what the KPK investigators have done has been tested in the pretrial hearing which was decided yesterday, Wednesday, 11 March 2026, in which the pretrial challenge filed by YCQ was rejected. This means that the suspect designation made by KPK investigators against YCQ is formally correct,” Asep clarified.
The KPK ultimately arrested former Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) in the hajj quota corruption case. Yaqut was arrested following his designation as a suspect in January 2026.
Yaqut descended from the second floor of the examination room at 18:45 Western Indonesian Time on Thursday (12 March 2026). Yaqut was wearing an orange vest with both hands shackled.
Yaqut appeared today to comply with the KPK’s examination summons. Yaqut arrived at 13:05 Western Indonesian Time accompanied by his legal advisory team.
In this case, Yaqut previously challenged the KPK’s suspect designation in court. However, Yaqut’s pretrial challenge was rejected by the judge.
The judge stated that the suspect designation made by the KPK against Yaqut complied with applicable procedures and regulations. The judge ruled that the scope of pretrial review only assesses formal aspects.
“The court rejects the entirety of the petitioner’s pretrial challenge,” stated single judge Sulistyo Muhamad Dwi Putro when reading the pretrial decision number 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL at the South Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (11 March).