This is the Reason Why the KPK Has Not Yet Brought Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut to Trial
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has denied any obstacles preventing the trial of former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. The KPK stated that the investigation into the additional Hajj quota case, which involves Yaqut, is still ongoing and requires further in-depth analysis.
It has been noted that Yaqut’s detention period has been extended twice, yet the KPK has not yet brought him to court. “An investigation process is currently underway and there is still time remaining in the detention period, so that the case can be more thoroughly prepared,” said KPK Deputy Chairman Fitroh Rohcahyanto to reporters on Tuesday (19/05/2026).
Fitroh dismissed suggestions that the investigation process appears stagnant. He claimed that investigators are working to finalise the evidence before the case is presented to a judge. However, Fitroh declined to specify exactly when Yaqut would face trial. “We will certainly transfer it to the court as soon as the time is right,” Fitroh stated.
Fitroh further explained that the KPK needs to maximise the gathering of testimonies so that their findings are supported by valid evidence during the trial. “This is to ensure that everything is backed by legal evidence so that we can be held accountable and present it in court,” he added.
Fitroh claimed that his investigators have faced no obstacles in investigating the Hajj quota case. Nevertheless, Yaqut has yet to be tried despite having lost his pretrial motion. “That is at the technical level of the investigators,” Fitroh remarked.
In this case, the KPK has named Yaqut as a suspect alongside the former Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs, Isfan Abidal Aziz (known as Gus Alex). Yaqut is suspected of violating Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of Law No. 31 of 1999, as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) ke-1 of the Criminal Code.
In the development of this case, the KPK has also named two new suspects from the private sector, namely Ismail Adham and Asrul Azis Taba, the chairman of the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Tour Travel Union (Kesthuri). Both are alleged to have played a role in arranging the distribution and filling of additional Hajj quotas, including providing kickbacks to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.