Timeline of Days: Yaqut Becomes House Detainee Until Returned to KPK Detention
Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has been returned to KPK’s detention centre today after a brief stint as a house detainee. Over the past two weeks, Yaqut’s detention has been at two different locations.
Yaqut was detained following his designation as a suspect in the Hajj quota corruption case. In this case, the KPK also named Yaqut’s special staff member, Ishfah Abidal Aziz or Gus Alex, as a suspect.
12 March 2026
Yaqut has been detained by the KPK since Thursday (12/3). His detention occurred one day after his pre-trial application was rejected in court. The KPK also explained the reasons for the seemingly delayed detention of Yaqut.
“Why did it take so long? Naturally, we did not want to rush. We wanted to complete the evidence or ensure the sufficiency of evidence first in order to carry out this coercive measure,” explained Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, during a press conference at the KPK building in South Jakarta, on Thursday (12/3).
Asep stated that all evidence obtained by investigators further strengthens the KPK’s case to be proven in court. He also explained that the sufficiency of evidence for designating Yaqut as a suspect has been formally tested in the pre-trial lawsuit filed by Yaqut at the South Jakarta District Court.
“Formally, what the KPK investigators have done has been tested in the pre-trial hearing decided yesterday, Wednesday, 11 March 2026, where the pre-trial application from Mr YCQ was rejected. This means that the suspect designation carried out by the KPK investigators against Mr YCQ is correct formally,” clarified Asep.
19-21 March 2026
Yaqut’s whereabouts, no longer at the KPK detention centre, were revealed during the Eid celebrations. This information was first shared by the wife of former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer (Noel), Silvia Rinita Harefa, after visiting Noel at the KPK detention centre during Eid on Saturday (21/3). Silvia said that her husband and other KPK detainees had not seen Yaqut in detention since Thursday (19/3).
“This time, they didn’t see Gus Yaqut earlier. The info is that he left on Thursday night,” said Silvia.
According to Silvia, her husband and other KPK detainees already knew that Yaqut had suddenly disappeared from the KPK detention centre. They were wondering about Yaqut’s current whereabouts.
“Everyone knows about it. They were just wondering, saying there was an examination, but it’s unlikely to have an examination on the eve of Takbiran night,” explained Silvia.
KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo then clarified Yaqut’s current detention status, which has shifted to house arrest. Yaqut’s detention was moved starting Thursday (19/3).
“Correct, the investigators carried out a change in the type of detention for suspect Mr YCQ, from detention at the KPK detention centre to house arrest, since last Thursday night (19/3),” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters on Saturday (21/3).
Budi explained that the request for the change was submitted by Yaqut’s family. The change in detention is temporary.
“This change was based on a request from the family on 17 March 2026. Following that request, it was reviewed and granted considering Article 108 paragraphs (1) and (11) of Law No. 20 of 2025 on the Criminal Procedure Code,” he stated.
23 March 2026
Just four days into house arrest, the KPK then returned Yaqut’s detention to the KPK detention centre. Yaqut underwent a health examination before returning to the detention centre. The examination was conducted by a medical team at Bhayangkara Hospital TK. I R Said Sukanto, East Jakarta.
“Today, the KPK carried out the process of changing the type of detention for suspect YCQ from house arrest back to detention at the KPK detention centre,” said Budi in his statement on Monday (23/3).
24 March 2026
After undergoing a series of health tests, Yaqut was returned to detention at the KPK detention centre today. Yaqut also spoke out regarding the house arrest status he briefly received. He admitted that the change in his detention was based on his family’s request.
“It was our request,” said Yaqut upon arriving at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Tuesday (24/3/2026).
Yaqut did not comment much on the four-day house arrest status he received. He said the change in his detention allowed him to perform the traditional Eid greeting to his mother.
“Alhamdulillah, I was able to pay respects to my mother, to my mum,” said Yaqut.