KPK Says Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Requests Today's Examination Be Postponed

Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced that former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) has requested that his examination as a suspect scheduled for today in the hajj quota corruption case be postponed. The KPK stated it is still awaiting an official letter from his legal team.

“We are still requesting an official letter if a postponement request is indeed being submitted. This would naturally include the reasons for requesting a rescheduled examination,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters on Thursday (12 March 2026).

Separately, Yaqut’s legal counsel, Melissa Anggraini, explained that her team wished to first verify the summons issued by the KPK against her client. She questioned why the summons was sent whilst pre-trial proceedings were ongoing.

“Earlier we verified the KPK’s letter. Because at yesterday’s ruling, Mr Asep (KPK’s Deputy for Enforcement and Execution) stated that the summons would only then be scheduled,” said Melissa.

“Therefore we also question the summons dated 6 March 2026, given that pre-trial proceedings are still ongoing. We have already coordinated with the KPK as well,” she explained.

Previously, the KPK had announced it would examine Yaqut today as a suspect in the hajj quota corruption case. The KPK had expressed confidence that Yaqut would be cooperative and would attend the examination.

“We are confident that the person in question will be cooperative and will comply with this summons,” said Budi when confirmed on Thursday (12 March).

The KPK had previously stated it had sent an examination summons to former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as a suspect in the hajj quota case. The letter was sent to Yaqut’s team last week.

“When was he summoned? Last week the summons was already issued for this week,” said KPK’s Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu to reporters at KPK headquarters in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (11 March).

Yaqut himself had challenged the suspect status from the KPK in court through a pre-trial motion. The hearing began last week on Tuesday (3 April). After a week of proceedings, Yaqut’s pre-trial motion was ultimately rejected by the judge.