KPK to Pursue Other Figures Following Arrest of Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in connection with a hajj quota corruption case. Following this, the KPK will continue to investigate the alleged roles of other parties involved.

“The KPK will continue to investigate suspected involvement by other parties,” stated KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists on Saturday, 14 March 2026, in response to questions about what else the KPK would pursue after detaining Yaqut.

Budi did not specify which other parties would be investigated. When asked whether the KPK would summon Maktour Travel’s chief executive Fuad Hasan Masyhur, Budi stated that any summons would be adjusted according to investigative needs.

“Of course, the examination will be based on investigative requirements,” Budi said.

Budi did not rule out the possibility of additional suspects in the hajj quota case. “We will wait for developments,” he added.

As previously reported, Yaqut was designated as a suspect in early January 2026. Yaqut initially challenged the suspect designation in court through a pre-trial lawsuit. However, the judge rejected Yaqut’s pre-trial motion.

After prolonged proceedings, the KPK formally arrested Yaqut. In summary, Indonesia received an additional quota of 20,000 from the Saudi Arabian Government. Yaqut reportedly sought to distribute the hajj quota as 50 per cent regular hajj and 50 per cent special hajj. However, according to regulations, the split should be 92 per cent regular hajj and 8 per cent special hajj.

Yaqut allegedly attempted to arrange a scheme with Saudi Arabian authorities to allow the non-compliant quota distribution to continue whilst appearing to comply with the law. Yaqut endeavoured to persuade the parliamentary special committee (Pansus) on hajj affairs to facilitate his scheme to equally divide the additional hajj quota between 50 per cent regular and 50 per cent special hajj.

Yaqut allegedly attempted to bribe the parliamentary hajj committee with USD 1 million. However, Yaqut’s attempt proved unsuccessful after the committee rejected the funds offered.