Reasons for Ex-Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Becoming KPK House Detainee Deemed Absurd
The Director of the Indonesian Civil Circle Institute (LIMA), Ray Rangkuti, has protested the KPK’s decision to release former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) from the KPK detention centre. Yaqut has been placed under house arrest despite his status as a suspect in the corruption case involving Hajj quotas at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag).
Ray has criticised the KPK’s rationale for releasing Yaqut from detention, which was merely a request from the family. “This is the crux of the issue. If the transfer of detention is solely due to a family request, it can almost certainly be assumed that all KPK suspects held in state detention centres will also request to be transferred to house arrest. And for the sake of justice and equality under the law, the KPK must fulfil those requests,” Ray told Republika on Sunday (22/3/2026).
Ray views the easing of detention transfer requirements as evidence of internal weakening of the KPK. He regrets the lack of vision, mental resilience, and courage within the KPK.
“If the KPK’s vision treats corruption suspects as no more serious than chicken thieves, then it equates corruption cases with trivial thefts. This evokes a piercing sense of sorrow. If corruption suspects can have their detention transferred merely due to a family request, can ordinary and minor criminals receive such privileges?” Ray stated.
Therefore, Ray demands the cancellation of the house arrest transfer for Yaqut if the primary reason is solely the family’s request. Because if the transfer of detention is only due to a family request, the KPK should also grant transfers to others.
“The KPK’s step to transfer from state detention to house arrest sends a signal of internal weakening of the KPK. This step could become a boomerang for corruption eradication efforts. It is highly likely that other corruption suspects currently languishing in state detention centres will also apply for detention transfers. Thus, for the sake of equality and justice under the law, the KPK must approve them,” Ray said.
Ray also noted that transferring from state detention to house arrest with strict supervision constitutes a waste of state funds. Amid efficiency efforts, the KPK should consider unnecessary expenditures.
“How many state apparatus must be deployed to monitor house arrest activities?” Ray quipped.
In this case, the KPK had previously named Yaqut as a suspect along with former Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs Isfah Abidal Aziz (IAA), alias Gus Alex. Yaqut is charged with violating Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 on Amendments to Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption, in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code.
The KPK then detained Suspect Yaqut for the first 20 days from 12 to 31 March 2026. The detention was carried out at the KPK’s Red White Building Branch Detention Centre. However, Yaqut escaped detention at this facility. Meanwhile, Alex was detained later by the KPK on 17 March.