Two Former Special Staff Members of Religious Affairs Minister Held in Anti-Corruption Custody

Jakarta — The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) detained Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, the former Special Staff of the Religious Affairs Minister (Menag), and Ishfah Abidal Aziz, known as Gus Alex, on Tuesday 17 March 2026. Alex was detained by the KPK following questioning in his capacity as a corruption suspect in the hajj quota case.

The KPK decided to detain both individuals for an initial period of 20 days from 17 March until 5 April 2026. This detention period may be extended depending on KPK investigators’ assessments.

“The detention for the next 20 days will be counted from today, 17 March through 5 April 2026,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

The KPK stated that Gus Alex, who has been designated as a suspect, is being held at the KPK Anti-Corruption Education Centre building. Alex’s place of detention differs from Yaqut’s, who is being held at the State Detention Facility Branch of the KPK Red and White Building. It is believed this separation is intended to prevent the two from communicating regarding the hajj quota case.

In this case, the KPK has previously designated Yaqut as a suspect along with former Religious Affairs Minister Special Staff Isfan Abidal Aziz, also known as Gus Alex. Yaqut is alleged to have violated Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of Law No. 31 of 1999 regarding the Eradication of Corruption Offences as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001, along with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.

The KPK subsequently ordered Yaqut’s detention for an initial 20-day period from 12 to 31 March 2026. He is being held at the State Detention Facility Branch of the KPK Red and White Building. Gus Alex was detained later by the KPK on 17 March.