Yaqut Returns to Detention Centre After House Arrest, DPR Member: This Has Never Happened Before

JAKARTA - A member of the DPR’s Commission III from the NasDem faction, Rudianto Lallo, highlighted an unusual incident at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) that has never occurred before. The incident in question involves former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, who was detained in the KPK’s detention centre after becoming a suspect in the Hajj quota corruption case, then suddenly switched to house arrest ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2026, and has now been returned to the KPK detention centre. Nevertheless, Rudianto praised the KPK’s positive action in returning Yaqut to the detention centre, which aligns with public opinion. “Yes, because this has never happened before; it’s not normal. And now that the KPK has picked up the suspect, the former minister, I think that’s a very positive step to maintain the integrity of the KPK institution,” he added. Rudianto believes that the KPK’s action in returning Yaqut to the detention centre could end the current controversy in society. He also reminded that in the future, KPK investigators must not repeat such actions. “Because they themselves made the arrest, they themselves transferred him. They started it, and they ended it. So, no more recurring incidents, because as mentioned earlier, it sets a bad precedent,” Rudianto explained. Rudianto emphasised that the KPK must not give leeway to suspects in corruption cases, where the crimes committed are extraordinary. “So, what happened yesterday hopefully can end the controversy or public reaction so it doesn’t happen again,” said Rudianto. “The investigators themselves carried out the detention, displayed it, and the investigators also transferred it. That’s not normal. Usually, the investigators make the arrest, the transfer is done by the prosecutor, or the prosecutor makes the detention and the transfer is in the trial, where the judge changes the status,” he said. According to Rudianto, Yaqut’s house arrest status is something unusual. He stated that this status is very different from the release on health grounds for sick detainees. “We hope that by returning this former minister to the detention centre, it can end the controversy, and we hope it doesn’t happen again, no more incidents that can trigger or spark public reaction,” Rudianto added.