MAKI Warns KPK: Do Not Toy with the People's Feelings Over Special Detention Case
The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) has issued a stinging critique of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) following the controversy over the transfer of detention status for Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, known as Gus Yaqut. MAKI has reminded the anti-graft agency to maintain its integrity and avoid actions perceived as discriminatory that hurt public sentiment.
As a form of protest and reminder, MAKI sent five banners containing satirical awards to the KPK. These banners were displayed at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Tuesday (24/3/2026). One of the points highlighted was the KPK’s success in breaking the record in the category of “Transferring House Detention for Special Individuals”.
MAKI Coordinator Boyamin Saiman emphasised that this action serves as a warning for the KPK not to underestimate the intelligence of the Indonesian public. According to him, the public is closely monitoring every move of the KPK, especially in handling cases involving prominent figures.
“This is a reminder to the KPK not to toy with the feelings of the people. The Indonesian public is too intelligent; it’s not just MAKI,” said Boyamin Saiman in Jakarta.
Although the KPK eventually returned Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to the detention centre (rutan), Boyamin assessed that the initial secret transfer of detention without an official announcement had sparked public outrage. He also highlighted the injustice towards other suspects in the same case, namely Gus Alex.
Unlike Gus Yaqut, who briefly received house detention status, Gus Alex remains confined in the rutan without similar leniency. Boyamin stressed that this action constitutes clear discrimination without basis, wounding the sense of justice of all Indonesians.
MAKI also questioned the KPK spokesperson’s statement describing the transfer as part of the investigation strategy. According to Boyamin, this reason is very weak because the KPK immediately returned the detainee to the rutan after the polemic arose in society.
In its statement, MAKI compared the current performance of the KPK with that of the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung). Boyamin said that Kejagung is now more capable of winning public trust through bolder and more transparent anti-corruption measures.
He regretted the KPK’s position, which now seems to merely spectate the achievements of other institutions while repeatedly making blunders that damage its own image. MAKI hopes this incident becomes a momentum for the KPK to regain its prestige without manoeuvres that hurt the people’s hearts.
Although Gus Yaqut’s detention status has been returned to the rutan, MAKI assures it will not stay silent. Boyamin stated that they will continue to report the chronology of this event to the KPK Supervisory Board (Dewas) for further examination to ensure no ethical violations in the procedure.
Other legal steps, including pre-trial lawsuits, are also being prepared if similar deviant policies are found in the future. MAKI is committed to closely monitoring major corruption cases in the country.