Yaqut Questioned as Banser Members Storm KPK Headquarters This Afternoon
Several members of Barisan Ansor Serbaguna (Banser)—the semi-autonomous paramilitary wing of Gerakan Pemuda Ansor—stormed the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) headquarters whilst former Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was being questioned on Thursday afternoon (12 March).
According to observations at the scene, members of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) youth organisation arrived at the Red and White Building of the KPK in South Jakarta at approximately 16:39 (West Indonesia Time). Vehicle horns were deliberately sounded loudly as they approached KPK headquarters. They arrived in convoy formation with motorcycles, cars, and no fewer than five buses.
“We are here only demanding justice. Today we show that Ansor Banser has the spirit of solidarity!” declared one of the demonstrators from a command vehicle in the KPK parking lot on Thursday afternoon.
During the demonstration, they removed barbed wire that had been deliberately placed. They also warned police not to obstruct the action. “We have never caused trouble, but if someone obstructs us, we will be forced to remove it. We work together with the authorities,” the demonstrator stated. At the time of writing, around 16:50 West Indonesia Time, there were few police personnel stationed at the location.
Earlier, Yaqut answered the KPK’s summons for further questioning as a suspect on Thursday afternoon. This was his first interrogation following rejection of his pre-trial motion by a judge. Yaqut arrived at the Red and White Building of the KPK at approximately 13:00 West Indonesia Time, wearing a cream-coloured jacket and black peci (Islamic cap). Upon arrival, he told reporters he would provide the information he knew. “This is my opportunity to provide a statement,” Yaqut said to journalists.
Yaqut and his special staff member, Ishfah Abidal Aziz (known as Gus Alex), have been designated as suspects by the KPK in an alleged corruption case concerning additional hajj quotas. However, neither has been detained thus far. Nevertheless, the KPK has requested the Directorate General of Immigration to prevent Yaqut and Ishfah from leaving the country for six months until 12 August 2026.
During the investigation, the KPK has conducted raids at several locations, including Yaqut’s residence in Condet, East Jakarta; offices of hajj and umrah travel agencies in Jakarta; homes of civil servants from the Religious Affairs Ministry in Depok; and the office of the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Implementation at the Religious Affairs Ministry. Numerous items of evidence allegedly related to the case have been seized, including documents, electronic evidence, and four-wheeled vehicles and property.
According to calculations by the Financial and Development Supervisory Board (BPK), the state suffered losses of approximately Rp622.090.207.166,41 (Rp622 billion) from the alleged corruption involving additional hajj quotas for the 2023 and 2024 hajj seasons.