Yaqut Placed Under House Arrest During Eid Holiday Period

Former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was placed under house arrest only during the Eid holiday period. Yaqut’s status was changed to house arrest on Thursday (19/3) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Unlike other KPK detainees, Yaqut experienced the takbir night and Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah at home. As of Tuesday (24/3), he has been returned to the detention centre (rutan). Yaqut arrived at the KPK building in Kuningan, South Jakarta, around 10:40 WIB. He did not say much upon arriving at the KPK. He only mentioned that he was able to pay respects to his mother on Eid when he received house arrest status. “Alhamdulillah, I was able to pay respects to my mother, to my mum,” he said briefly. Less than two hours later, around 12:07 WIB, Yaqut was escorted out of the KPK building to be transferred to the KPK detention centre, which is still located in the same area. KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu explained the reason for the time needed to return Yaqut from house arrest to detention centre. According to him, time was required to conduct a health assessment of Yaqut. “Why perhaps the process from yesterday was not immediate, having to wait until today, because of course there are procedures we must go through, namely conducting a health assessment,” Asep said at the KPK building in Kuningan, South Jakarta. He stated that the health assessment was carried out since Monday (23/3) afternoon at the Central Police Hospital, Kramat Jati, East Jakarta. The Kramat Jati Police Hospital was chosen because it is close to Yaqut’s residence. Then, the availability of equipment and specialist doctors there were also considerations for selecting that hospital. On Wednesday (25/3), the KPK plans to question Yaqut again regarding the hajj quota corruption case. “Tomorrow is already scheduled for a request for information from the person concerned. The second one, tomorrow we plan to have progress, yes, related to handling this hajj quota,” Asep said. He also revealed that Yaqut suffers from acute GERD and asthma. Due to that condition, the KPK had granted Yaqut’s request for house arrest in the alleged hajj quota corruption case. “(Yaqut) has undergone endoscopy and colonoscopy. I’m not too familiar with that medical term, perhaps you can check later. (Yaqut) also suffers from asthma,” Asep said. He stated that returning Yaqut to detention centre is to ensure the case handling runs smoothly and quickly. “We extend our utmost thanks to all the public who have supported our processes and activities in handling this corruption crime,” Asep said.