KPK States Gus Yaqut Suffers from Acute GERD and Asthma
Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, stated that former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas suffers from acute GERD and asthma. This was determined from a health examination of Yaqut at the Kramat Jati Police Hospital before he was returned to detention at the KPK Detention Centre.
“We inform that one of the results from the health assessment is that the individual suffers from acute GERD, and also asthma,” Asep said at the KPK’s Red and White Building on Tuesday (24/3).
Asep explained that this health reason was one of the considerations for the KPK in transferring Yaqut’s detention to house arrest.
“There are many (factors for Yaqut becoming a house detainee), yes, besides the health condition. So this is certainly one of them, just one condition, in addition to other necessities in this case, the strategy in handling this case so that it can proceed smoothly,” he added.
Furthermore, the reason for returning Yaqut to the KPK Detention Centre was that investigators had scheduled important activities related to the alleged corruption case of Hajj quotas for the next day.
“The first is because tomorrow (Wednesday) there is already a scheduled request for information from the individual. Second, tomorrow we plan to have progress related to the handling of the Hajj quota,” Asep revealed.
Although reluctant to detail the specific progress, Asep hinted at a significant announcement in the press conference scheduled for the next day. “Just wait for tomorrow’s progress, and of course we will hold another press conference,” he added.
It is known that Gus Yaqut is a suspect in the alleged corruption case of Hajj quotas for 2023 and 2024. The Hajj quotas were allegedly arranged in such a way with fees as compensation.
The practice of demanding fee payments was carried out to Special Hajj Service Organisers (PIHK), or Hajj travel agencies. Then the costs were passed on by the PIHK to the prospective special Hajj pilgrims in the package price.
Gus Yaqut was named a suspect along with his former special staff, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex. Both are suspected of playing a major role in arranging those Hajj quotas.
Gus Yaqut and Gus Alex are suspected of violating the Corruption Eradication Law regarding state losses. According to the KPK, the state losses in this case amount to Rp622 billion.