KPK Views Banners and Flower Arrangements from MAKI as Positive Public Expression
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) views the banners and flower arrangements from the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) as a positive form of public expression.
The banners and flower arrangements were sent by MAKI after the KPK shifted the type of detention for the suspect in the alleged Hajj quota corruption case, as well as former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, from state detention (rutan) to house arrest.
“KPK views this as a form of public expression that we receive positively. As a law enforcement agency, KPK is always open to various constructive criticisms, suggestions, and inputs in efforts to eradicate corruption,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists in Jakarta on Wednesday.
In addition, Budi stated that KPK regards MAKI’s actions as a form of public attention, hope, and trust in the law enforcement process by the anti-corruption agency.
Therefore, he said that all forms of public participation are important elements in maintaining the integrity and accountability of the institution.
“KPK positions the public as a strategic partner in eradicating corruption. Not only actively supporting prevention and enforcement efforts, the public also has an important function as a supervisor or watchdog to ensure that every process runs transparently and accountably,” he said.
He also stated that KPK will continue to keep the space for public participation open as part of its commitment to delivering clean, professional, and integrity-based law enforcement.
Previously, on 9 August 2025, KPK began investigating the alleged corruption case related to the Hajj quota for Indonesia in 2023-2024.
On 11 August 2025, KPK announced that the initial calculation of state losses in the case exceeded Rp1 trillion, and prevented three individuals from travelling abroad for the next six months.
Those prevented were former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Ishfah Abidal Aziz alias Gus Alex as Yaqut’s special staff, and Fuad Hasan Masyhur as the owner of the Maktour Hajj organising agency.
On 9 January 2026, KPK announced that two of the three prevented individuals became suspects in the alleged Hajj quota corruption case, namely Yaqut and Gus Alex.
However, Yaqut filed a pre-trial request against the suspect determination at the South Jakarta District Court on 10 February 2026, registered under case number 19/Pid.Pra/2026/PN JKT.SEL.
On 19 February 2026, KPK announced an extension of the travel ban abroad only for Yaqut and Gus Alex, while Fuad’s was not extended.
On 27 February 2026, KPK announced that it had received an audit from the Financial Audit Board (BPK) of the Republic of Indonesia regarding state financial losses due to the Hajj quota case. Then, on 4 March 2026, KPK announced that the state financial losses due to the case amounted to Rp622 billion.
Subsequently, on 11 March 2026, the Panel of Judges at the South Jakarta District Court rejected Yaqut’s pre-trial request.
On 12 March 2026, KPK detained Yaqut at the KPK’s Red White Building Branch State Detention Centre.
Then, on 17 March 2026, KPK detained Gus Alex at the KPK’s Anti-Corruption Education Centre Branch Detention Centre. While walking to the detention vehicle, he stated that there was no order or flow of money in the Hajj quota case to Yaqut.
On the same date, Yaqut’s family requested KPK to allow the former Minister of Religious Affairs to be under house arrest. KPK then granted the request, and Yaqut has been under house arrest since 19 March 2026.
On 23 March 2026, KPK announced that it was processing the shift of Yaqut’s detention from house arrest back to state detention. On 24 March 2026, Yaqut officially became a detainee at KPK’s state detention.