KPK Urged Not to Halt Inquiry at Arrest of Former Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas
The arrest of former Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in an alleged hajj quota corruption case is seen as merely the initial step. The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has been urged not to halt proceedings with the initial designation of two suspects, and to promptly expand its investigation to identify other parties suspected of involvement in the hajj quota buying and selling practice.
Former KPK investigator Yudi Purnomo Harahap stated that the anti-corruption agency must act swiftly following receipt of audit findings from the State Audit Board (BPK).
“Once the KPK has received the audit report from the BPK, it is time to detain the suspects and expedite the case to court to ensure legal certainty,” Yudi told Media Indonesia on Friday (13 March).
According to Yudi, accelerating case handover to court is important so that the evidentiary process can be tested openly in court whilst also providing the suspects opportunity to present their legal defence.
“By promptly bringing the case to court, the suspects also have space to conduct their legal defence,” he said.
Nevertheless, Yudi emphasised that the KPK must not stop at the two initial suspects. He assessed that the alleged hajj quota corruption case potentially involves many more parties, particularly regarding fund flows from the quota buying and selling practice.
“The KPK must develop this case, not only against the two initial suspects, but also against other parties who received fund flows or were involved in the hajj quota buying and selling,” he stated.
Yudi also believed that investigators are possibly employing a phased strategy by designating two suspects initially before tracing the broader network in the case.
“I am confident this case will expand. For now, investigators’ strategy may begin with two suspects first to determine whether they knew that the money they received was proceeds of crime,” he said.
Beyond identifying other actors, Yudi emphasised the importance of recovering state losses in this case. Based on preliminary findings, the alleged state loss from the hajj quota corruption practice is estimated to reach approximately IDR 600 billion.
“This is important to restore or recover state losses so that funds seized or taken by the perpetrators can return to the state,” said Yudi.
Furthermore, he added that the success of investigating this case should not be measured solely by the designation of suspects, but also by the state’s capacity to recover losses resulting from the corruption practice.
The National Board of Muslim Scholars (PBNU) Chairman, Yahya Cholil Staquf, conveyed a message urging party cadres to exercise restraint and respect the legal process regarding the detention of former Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.