PBNU Chairman's Message Regarding Arrest of Yaqut in Hajj Quota Corruption Case
The Chairman of the Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), Yahya Cholil Staquf, has conveyed a message urging party cadres to exercise restraint and respect the legal process regarding the arrest of former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in an alleged corruption case involving hajj quotas.
The message was broadcast via voice note through a loudspeaker at a mass protest location. In the recording, Yahya expressed appreciation for the concern shown by cadres from Ansor, Banser, and Pagar Nusa who gathered to offer moral support to Yaqut.
“Dear friends from Ansor, Banser, and Pagar Nusa, I respect you all. Thank you for your concern, and we all appreciate the aspirations you have expressed,” Yahya said in his voice message on Thursday (12 March).
He emphasised that the aspirations expressed by cadres are solely intended to ensure the legal process proceeds objectively. Therefore, he called on all parties to pray to God that the legal process runs fairly.
“Let us now ask Allah the Almighty to open the hearts of all people so that, whatever the circumstances, justice must be upheld through the correct process,” he stated.
Yahya also reminded party cadres that each member must be prepared to account for their actions before God. After the aspirations were expressed, he requested the masses to return to their respective locations in an orderly manner.
“Now that everything has been carried out and we have expressed what is in our hearts and minds, I urge friends to strengthen their hearts, exercise patience, and I request that you return to your homes and respective places in an orderly manner,” he said.
Earlier, Banser members had gathered in front of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) building in reaction to Yaqut’s arrest, who is also Yahya’s biological brother. During the action, some of the crowd chanted “KPK is oppressive,” burnt t-shirts bearing the anti-corruption agency’s logo, and briefly attempted to breach the building’s fence. The situation became tense but was eventually calmed by other Banser members and police personnel on duty at the location.
In his message, Yahya also stressed that moral support for Yaqut must not end with the demonstration but must be realised by ensuring the legal process proceeds without other interests that compromise justice.
“We will continue to proclaim and maintain the truth so it is upheld correctly, upheld without blemish, upheld without any other interests that taint it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Yaqut, who previously served as Religious Affairs Minister, has been officially detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission after being named as a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving hajj quota management. The KPK alleges that Yaqut received fees of up to Rp84 million per pilgrim for expedited special hajj services. The alleged misconduct is estimated to have caused the state losses of Rp622 billion.
Yaqut left the KPK interrogation room on Thursday (12 March) at approximately 18:45 Western Indonesian Time wearing the distinctive orange detention vest and with his hands shackled. The suspect designation against him is known to have been made since January 2026.