Yaqut Cholil Qoumas Requests Release from KPK Detention Centre

Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has asked the panel of judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court to acquit him in the alleged corruption case concerning the distribution of quotas and the organisation of the hajj pilgrimage for 2023-2024. The request was submitted through an exception or objection note read out by his legal counsel on Tuesday (18/8/2026).

Yaqut’s legal counsel, Mellisa Anggraini, asserted that the indictment prepared by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) public prosecutors was unclear and incomplete, or obscuur libel. Her team requested that the judges declare the indictment, registered under case number 71/TUT.01.04/24/07/2026, null and void by law.

“Declare that the corruption case number 42/Pid.Sus-TPK/2026/PN.JKT.PST in the name of defendant Yaqut Cholil Qoumas cannot proceed to examination,” Mellisa stated during the hearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court.

In addition to questioning the clarity of the indictment, Yaqut’s legal team argued that the Jakarta Corruption Court lacks absolute authority to adjudicate the case. Mellisa also urged the panel of judges to order the KPK to immediately release her client from the KPK branch of the Class 1A State Detention Centre in East Jakarta after the interim ruling is read out.

In his exception, Yaqut also demanded the restoration of his rights, including the rehabilitation of his reputation, position, and dignity. This objection responds to the KPK prosecutors’ indictment alleging that Yaqut received USD271,500 in connection with the allocation of additional special hajj quotas without a waiting period (T0).

Previously, prosecutors charged Yaqut with accommodating requests from the Association of Special Hajj Organisers (PIHK) by setting an additional quota distribution of 50 percent without technical assessment. The alleged act caused state losses amounting to Rp622,090,207,166.41 based on an investigative report by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK RI).

The case also involves three other defendants: Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) Ismail Adham, Kesthuri Chairman Asrul Aziz Taba, and former special staff member to the Religious Affairs Minister Ishfah Abidal Aziz, also known as Gus Alex.