Yaqut Placed Under House Arrest, Analyst Deems KPK Easily Influenced

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The transfer of the detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas from prison detention to house arrest is considered proof that the KPK has been intervened in and weakened.

“This is a phenomenon that illustrates the KPK commissioners have lost their independence and are easily intervened by external forces,” said criminal law expert from Trisakti University, Abdul Fickar Hadjar, when contacted by Kompas.com on Monday (23/3/2026).

“In the future, there will be more potential corruptors who only face house or city detention. This means, directly or indirectly, it becomes a factor that weakens the anti-corruption movement,” he added.

Fickar even called for the government to no longer select investigators from government apparatus elements, as it would harm the KPK institutionally.

“The KPK must return to its original path as a firm enforcer of anti-corruption law that cannot be toyed with by anyone, whether religious figures, public figures, or government figures. Whoever is corrupt must be dealt with,” Fickar said again.

However, as of this report, both KPK leaders, including KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo, have not provided a response.

It is known that Yaqut, who is a suspect in the alleged corruption case of the 2023-2024 hajj quota, was temporarily transferred to house arrest by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

“Investigators have changed the type of detention for suspect YCQ from detention at the KPK Detention Centre to house arrest since Thursday night (19/3/2026),” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in his statement on Saturday (21/3/2026).

Yaqut himself was imprisoned for approximately one week. He was officially detained by the KPK since Thursday night (12/3/2026).

Yaqut is charged under Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.