Yaqut Confident of Dismissing Suspect Status in Hajj Quota Case, KPK Confident Judge Will Reject Plea
A pre-trial hearing for former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Choli Qoumas regarding his suspect status in a hajj quota corruption case resumed today with closing arguments scheduled. Yaqut expressed confidence that he would be cleared of suspect status after observing consensus amongst expert witnesses from both sides regarding his designation as a suspect.
“I have followed this pre-trial process from the beginning, though I initially attended in person and subsequently joined online. I am very grateful because there is agreement, understanding, between expert witnesses for both the respondent and petitioner on several matters,” Yaqut said after the hearing at Jakarta South District Court on Monday, 9 March 2026.
“Most importantly, both the petitioner’s and respondent’s witnesses share an understanding that the designation of suspect status must follow a process or there must already be evidence of state loss first,” he continued.
Yaqut also stated that on this basis, his team is confident the judge will render a fair decision. Yaqut’s pre-trial verdict hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, 11 March.
“I am confident that with the very objective justice system, which I believe is operating fairly, the truth will find its way, wherever and whenever,” he said.
Separately, KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo explained that the anti-corruption agency is also confident the judge will uphold the suspect designation against Yaqut. The KPK is convinced the suspect designation has sufficient evidentiary support.
“We are confident the judge will accept the KPK’s arguments through the Legal Bureau and declare that all formal aspects of the investigation procedure, including the suspect designation, comply with legal provisions and have sufficient valid evidence,” Budi explained.
Budi added that the agency is confident the judge will reject the pre-trial petition filed by Yaqut’s team.
“Therefore, we are confident that in tomorrow’s verdict, the judge will reject the petitioner’s application and declare the suspect designation of YCQ in this case valid,” he added.
As previously reported, the KPK designated former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and his former special staff, Ishfah Abidal Aziz (Gus Alex), as suspects in the corruption case involving the management of an additional 20,000 hajj quota for 2024. Both are suspected of abusing their authority in distributing the additional quota equally.
The KPK stated that the financial losses to the state in this case have been finalised by the Financial Audit Board (BPK). In a pre-trial hearing held on Wednesday, 4 March, the KPK cited state losses in the hajj quota case at 622 billion rupiah.