Member of Commission III reminds that house arrest transfers must be selective
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Soedeson Tandra, has reminded that the transfer from detention in state detention centres (rutan) to house arrest must be carried out selectively, especially for alleged corruption cases.
Soedeson conveyed this, as stated in Jakarta on Wednesday, in response to the polemic surrounding the transfer of detention status for the suspect in the alleged Hajj quota corruption case, former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
“In my view, it must be very selective. There must be objective reasons. Objective and subjective reasons must be selective, perhaps. For example, if someone is ill or has health problems and so on, that is allowed,” he said.
He assessed that corruption is an extraordinary crime that is a common enemy. Therefore, issues of detention against corruption suspects must be considered as much as possible for the sake of the state’s interests.
In addition, he also reminded law enforcement apparatus, in this case the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), to consider justice for the public in every decision they make.
“The question is, is the KPK’s action legally valid because it is permitted, but is that action appropriate or not? Fair or not? Worthy or not,” said the legislator in charge of legal affairs.
For Soedeson, the KPK’s step to transfer Yaqut’s detention status is unusual, although regulations on detention transfers are indeed permitted under the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).
“If it’s about detention authority, investigation, that’s all in the hands of the KPK. Indeed, based on the KUHAP, a person can be detained in a state detention centre, house arrest, or city detention, but in my opinion, this is unusual,” he stated.
He admitted to being worried that this policy would trigger similar demands from other corruption suspects.
“Then everyone will demand equality. If A is allowed, why not B?” he said.
Therefore, he emphasised that the propriety and worthiness of a law enforcement action is a crucial point that must be maintained.
“The public, in viewing the actions of law enforcement officials, the first question is whether their action is already appropriate? Already worthy? Does it create a sense of justice in society?” he said.
It is known that the KPK detained Yaqut on 12 March 2026 at the KPK’s Red White Building Branch State Detention Centre. However, Yaqut’s family requested the KPK to make the former Minister of Religious Affairs house arrest.
The KPK then granted the request. Yaqut has been under house arrest since 19 March 2026. However, the anti-corruption commission again transferred Yaqut’s detention to rutan detention. Yaqut officially became a KPK rutan detainee on Tuesday (24/3).