Wife states Gus Yaqut avoids discussing Hajj case during family visits

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The wife of former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Eny Retno, stated that her husband has not discussed the developments of the Hajj quota corruption case during family visits. Eny said that whenever visiting him at the KPK’s Red and White Detention House, Gus Yaqut mostly talks about their family to keep morale up during the legal process. “From what Abah says, there isn’t much. He hasn’t shared much about the case with me. When we meet, we mostly talk about the children and family to keep his spirits up,” Eny said after visiting her husband on Eid al-Adha, Wednesday (27 May 2026). “First as a witness for Gus Alex, then secondly during the extension of his detention. After that, there have been no further updates,” she said. When asked about the possibility of the case being transferred next month, Eny reiterated that her husband has never discussed the legal proceedings in detail with the family. “I am committed to only discussing family matters and things that strengthen him when with me and the children,” she said. Therefore, she hopes Gus Yaqut and his family are given strength to face the ongoing legal process. “No matter how strong Abah is, he must feel pain from being separated from loved ones. So please pray for him to be granted physical and spiritual strength, and for us too,” she said. Additionally, Eny said there has been no request to change her husband’s detention to house arrest. Eny is confident that the truth will emerge as the legal process continues for Gus Yaqut at the KPK’s Red and White Detention House. “As for hopes regarding the case, I naturally wish for everything to end well. The truth will prevail, and all will be resolved properly,” she said. The KPK has named four suspects in the Hajj quota corruption case: former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas; former special staff to Yaqut, Ishfah Abidal Aziz, alias Gus Alex; Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), Ismail Adham; and Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama and Chairman of the Kesthuri Association, Asrul Azis Taba.