KPK Targets Other Parties with Central Roles in Case of Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted an examination of former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) on Wednesday (25/3/2026). Through this examination, the KPK is pursuing other parties suspected of being involved.
Yaqut was examined again this time to accelerate the filing of the suspected corruption case in the organisation and distribution of Hajj quotas at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag).
“This examination is a quick and progressive step by the investigators to promptly complete the investigation file for this Hajj quota case,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in his statement on Wednesday (25/3/2026).
However, the KPK declined to detail the questions directed at Yaqut by the investigators. The KPK only indicated that this examination is intended to delve deeper into the roles of other parties detected as having significant involvement in the Hajj quota case.
“The examination in this case is also needed to continue exploring the alleged possibility of other parties who have central roles in the suspected criminal act of corruption,” Budi stated.
In this case, the KPK had previously designated Yaqut as a suspect along with former Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs Isfan Abidal Aziz (IAA), alias Gus Alex. Yaqut is charged with violating Article 2 paragraph (1) and or Article 3 of Law No. 31 of 1999 jo. Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 on Amendments to Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code.
The KPK subsequently detained Suspect Yaqut for the first 20 days from 12 to 31 March 2026. The detention was carried out at the KPK’s Red and White Building Branch State Detention House (Rutan). However, Yaqut briefly escaped detention at this facility by becoming a house detainee since 19 March. Meanwhile, Alex was detained by the KPK on 17 March.
The KPK’s decision to allow Yaqut house arrest status drew significant criticism. As a result, the KPK eventually chose to return Yaqut to the KPK Detention House on 24 March.