Legal Expert Questions KPK's Exclusive Eid Holiday Facility for Former Minister Yaqut
A criminal law observer from Trisakti University, Azmi Syahputra, has criticised the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) policy of changing the detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, to house arrest. Azmi believes that this procedure, which appears sudden and secretive, has sparked public suspicion of covert impunity.
The Secretary General of the Indonesian Criminal Law and Criminology Society (MAHUPIKI) highlighted the timing of the decision, which is close to the Eid holiday, creating the impression of special treatment.
“Why was this switch decided right before the long Eid holiday? This creates the impression of an ‘Exclusive Eid Travel Facility’. Choosing a time when public oversight is weak is a classic tactic of strategic timing in legal action to avoid public scrutiny,” Azmi stated in his comments on Monday (23/3/2026).
Azmi assessed that there has been a glaring double standard in the handling of suspects at the KPK. According to him, the KPK’s clarification that only emerged after Yaqut’s whereabouts were questioned by the public is a form of poor crisis communication.
“The anti-corruption agency should operate under bright lights, not in the dark corridors of discretion. If there are health or humanitarian reasons, convey the objective parameters proactively so that perceptions of intervention by certain powers do not arise,” he emphasised.
Regarding the KPK’s claim of attached supervision during Yaqut’s house arrest status, Azmi urged more transparent technical explanations. He questioned whether this supervision involves 24-hour guarding personnel or the use of technology such as electronic ankle bracelets (GPS trackers).
“If there is no measurable physical or virtual verification, the claim of ‘attached supervision’ is just a sweet promise on paper. House arrest status will always be seen as a luxury facility for certain people if there is no transparency,” Azmi said.
Furthermore, Azmi encouraged the KPK to immediately conduct an internal audit and provide an open explanation to the public, including involving an independent medical team if the reason for the switch is a health issue.
He reminded the KPK leadership that Article 108 of the Criminal Procedure Code does grant authority to switch detention, but it must be accompanied by detailed conditions and guarantees that the suspect will not flee or destroy evidence.
“We need a KPK that dares to be open from the start, not one that is merely skilled at making excuses after controversy arises. Legal certainty is a right of citizens, and transparency is the duty of the institution,” he concluded.
Director Executive of Lingkar Madani (LiMA), Ray Rangkuti, criticised the KPK’s policy of granting house arrest status to the suspect in the Hajj quota corruption case, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
Chairman of Exponen 08, M. Damar, called for the KPK Supervisory Board or other relevant authorities to immediately examine KPK officials who allowed Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to become a house detainee.
The KPK assures that changing the detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, to house arrest will not disrupt the legal process in the 2024 Hajj quota corruption case.
KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the change in detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, from Detention Centre (Rutan) to house arrest is temporary.
Former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, is now under house arrest. ICW assesses this as highly risky due to the potential for evidence destruction in the Hajj quota corruption case.
KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the change in detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, from Detention Centre (Rutan) to house arrest is temporary.
ICW criticised the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for switching the detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, from Detention Centre (Rutan) to house arrest.