Pre-Trial Hearing for Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Postponed to 3 March

The panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court ruled to postpone the inaugural pre-trial hearing concerning the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) designation of former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as a suspect on Tuesday (24 February). The postponement was due to the KPK’s absence from the proceedings.

“We shall adjourn until 3 March 2026,” said sole presiding judge Sulistyo Muhamad Dwi Putro during the hearing.

The KPK had submitted a request for the postponement of Yaqut’s pre-trial hearing to the judge. The anti-corruption body explained that it was occupied with attending four other pre-trial hearings running in parallel.

“The KPK, through its Legal Bureau, had submitted a request for postponement of today’s hearing, given that the team is simultaneously attending four other pre-trial proceedings,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo told journalists on Tuesday (24 February 2026).

The KPK said it respected the legal measures taken by Yaqut through the pre-trial mechanism. Such proceedings constitute the right of every suspect to challenge the validity of investigation procedures.

“We wish to assure that in the case of alleged corruption related to the hajj quota for the administration of Indonesian hajj pilgrimages in 2023–2024, all formal and substantive requirements have been fulfilled by the investigators,” said Budi.

Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas attended the inaugural hearing of his pre-trial case at the South Jakarta District Court on Tuesday (24 February 2026). The pre-trial motion was filed by Yaqut to challenge the legality of his designation as a suspect in the alleged corruption of hajj quota allocations.

Yaqut arrived with his legal counsel team at 10.00 am local time. The KPK’s legal team, however, was not seen in attendance.