Pre-trial Motion Rejected, Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Officially Becomes Suspect in Hajj Quota Case

Jakarta — Judge Sulistyo Muhammad Dwi Putro of Jakarta South District Court (PN Jaksel) has rejected a pre-trial motion filed by former Religious Affairs Minister (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. The ruling on case number 19/Pid.Pra/2026 was handed down on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

“The pre-trial motion is rejected in its entirety,” stated Sulistyo on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

The judge found that Yaqut’s designation as a suspect was properly grounded in decisions by the Constitutional Court (MK) and Supreme Court Regulation (Perma) Number 4 of 2016. Consequently, the judge rejected all claims submitted by Yaqut in their entirety. The judge also determined that Yaqut’s pre-trial arguments constituted engagement with the substantive merits of the case.

“The applicant is ordered to bear all court costs arising from this motion, the amount of which shall be specified in the ruling below,” Sulistyo stated.

Previously, Yaqut’s legal team contended that the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) lacked a proper legal basis and sufficient evidence in designating him as a suspect in the hajj quota case.

This was raised by Yaqut’s legal team coordinator, Mellisa Anggraini, during the pre-trial hearing on the additional 2024 hajj quota case at Jakarta South District Court on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. Mellisa argued that the designation of a person as a suspect must meet the requirements of Article 90 Paragraph (2) of Law Number 20 of 2025 on the New Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP Baru).