No Longer at Home, Yaqut to Be Detained Longer by KPK
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has extended the detention period of suspect Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in the alleged corruption case concerning the distribution of additional Hajj quotas. Yaqut will now spend more time in the KPK detention centre after previously being placed under house arrest.
According to detikcom on Tuesday (31/3/2026), KPK detained Yaqut as a suspect in the alleged Hajj quota corruption case on Thursday (12/3). However, KPK changed Yaqut’s status to house arrest on Thursday (19/3), one week after his initial detention.
This decision immediately drew protests from various parties. KPK eventually returned Yaqut to detention centre custody on Tuesday (24/3).
KPK then issued an apology for the commotion surrounding Yaqut’s house arrest status in the 2023-2024 Hajj quota corruption case. The apology was delivered by KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu.
“We certainly apologise for the commotion during this Eid period,” Asep said at the KPK building in South Jakarta, as quoted on Friday (27/3/2026).
Asep claimed that public reaction had been considered when placing Yaqut under house arrest. He stated that the switch to house arrest was an institutional decision.
“Of course, in that meeting, this matter was discussed,” Asep said.
Asep admitted to participating directly in the meeting that decided on the house arrest switch. He said the decision would be reported to the Supervisory Board (Dewas).
“I attended that meeting; I was one of those present. So, this will be reported to the Dewas. Of course, the Supervisory Board will review how the decision was made. Just wait,” he stated.
He also denied that the house arrest switch for Yaqut was done secretly. Asep reiterated that the status change was an institutional decision.
“So far, no. Because it wasn’t done secretly; the parties required by law to receive notification have been informed,” Asep said.
KPK Extends Yaqut’s Detention in the Centre
Most recently, KPK announced the extension of Yaqut’s detention for the next 40 days. KPK stated that the extension was necessary for the investigation.
“Today, investigators have extended the detention for the first time against Suspect YCQ. After the initial 20-day detention, today it has been extended for 40 days ahead,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
Budi said investigators would complete Yaqut’s case file. He noted that investigators needed time to gather additional evidence.
“Because investigators still need time to collect additional statements to complete this investigation file, so that it can proceed to stage two, entering the prosecution phase,” he explained.
Two New Suspects Named
On the other hand, KPK has named two new suspects in this case, bringing the total number of suspects to four. Here are the identities of the suspects:
Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ)
Former Special Staff to Yaqut, Ishfah Abidal Azis alias Gus Alex (IAA)
Operations Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), Ismail Adham (ISM)
Chairman of Asosiasi Kesthuri, Asrul Azis Taba (ASR).
KPK suspects there was a flow of funds from Ismail to state officials. KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu said Ismail is alleged to have given USD 30,000 to Gus Alex.
Asep said Ismail also allegedly handed over money to the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organisation at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in 2024, Hilman Latief (HL), amounting to USD 5,000. Hilman remains a witness in this case.
“Suspect ISM is alleged to have given a sum of money to IAA amounting to USD 30,000, as well as to Mr HL, Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organisation, Dirjen PHU, Ministry of Religious Affairs, USD 5,000 and SAR 16,000,” Asep said during a press conference at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Monday (30/3).
Asep said Maktour allegedly obtained unjust or illegal gains after giving the money. In 2024, Asep said, Maktour’s illegal gains reached Rp 27.8 billion.
“For their actions, PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) obtained unjust or illegal gains in 2024 amounting to around Rp 27.8 billion; this is the result of the state financial loss calculation conducted by auditors,” Asep stated.
Meanwhile, suspect Asrul Azis Taba (ASR) is alleged to have given USD 406,000 to Gus Alex related to the additional Hajj quota. Asep said the distribution of the additional special Hajj quota benefited eight PIHKs.
He stated that Gus Alex and Hilman represented Yaqut when receiving money from Ismail and Asrul. He said Yaqut had appointed them to handle matters for the PIHKs.
“The receipt of money by IAA and HL from the suspects is alleged to be a representation of Mr YCQ, who was the Minister of Religious Affairs at the time, because you should know that Mr IAA is a special staff member, and on several occasions Mr YCQ always said that for any matters, go directly to Mr IAA,” he explained.