Yaqut's House Arrest Status Makes Other KPK Detainees Envy It Too
The shift in detention status for former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has left other KPK detainees envious. One of them, Riau Governor Abdul Wahid, has also requested a similar arrangement.
This was conveyed by his lawyer during the indictment hearing for the alleged extortion case against his subordinates at the Riau Public Works Service Unit (UPT Dinas PUPR Riau) at the Pekanbaru Corruption Court (PN Tipikor Pekanbaru) on Thursday (26/3/2026). The hearing was attended by three defendants: Abdul Wahid, Arief Setiawan, and Dani Nursallam.
First, the legal counsel for the defence will challenge the KPK prosecutor’s indictment. Second, they request separation during the trial process for various reasons, including cramped rooms and the presence of multiple legal advisors.
“We request that the examination of the three defendants be conducted separately. This is to allow the panel of judges to focus more on the evidence in the future,” said Abdul Wahid’s legal counsel after the indictment hearing, as reported by detikSumut on Thursday (26/3/2026).
The legal counsel then raised a third point. It involves requesting the transfer of Abdul Wahid’s detention from Pekanbaru Detention Centre to house arrest.
The legal counsel also explained the reasons for the request. One of them is the recent transfer of detention for Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and health considerations.
“Third, the defendant also wishes to apply for a transfer of detention from rutan detention to house arrest. This is based on Article 108 paragraphs 5 and 11 of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) and the precedent of one of the suspects, Mr YC, who was transferred to house arrest. The reasons are the defendant’s health, Mr Abdul Wahid, and a family guarantee letter from Mr Abdul Wahid’s family,” said the legal counsel.
The panel of judges presiding over the hearing then asked Abdul Wahid if he had anything to say. Abdul Wahid simply replied ‘the same’ as his legal counsel.
“Do you have anything to say, Mr Abdul Wahid?” said the chief judge.
“The same,” Abdul Wahid replied.
Yaqut Has Returned to Rutan Detention
Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (YCQ) completed his examination by the KPK on Wednesday (25/3). After the examination, Yaqut claimed to be ill.
“Alhamdulillah, the examination went smoothly. Regarding the substance, please ask the investigators, not me. Excuse me, I’m sick and need to rest,” said Yaqut at the KPK building in South Jakarta.
Yaqut was examined starting at 13:20 WIB and left the examination room at 16:25 WIB. This examination was conducted after Yaqut reverted to the status of KPK rutan detainee.
“The examination in this case is also needed to further investigate the possibility of other parties who have central roles in the alleged corruption offence in question,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo.
It is known that Yaqut had been on house arrest since Thursday (19/3). KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said the house arrest for Yaqut was granted after the KPK received a request from his family.
Reported to Dewas
The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) has reported KPK leaders, deputies, and spokespersons to the KPK Supervisory Board (Dewas). KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu thanked them for the report.
“On a personal note, I extend my utmost thanks for the report from MAKI to the KPK Dewas regarding the handling of the hajj quota case,” said Asep to reporters on Thursday (26/3/2026).
Asep views the report as a sign of MAKI’s concern for eradicating corruption. Asep stated that MAKI is on the right track by reporting it to the KPK Dewas.
“Because for me personally, that report is a form of public concern, in this case from MAKI, towards our efforts to eradicate corruption offences, and most importantly, the report was submitted through the proper channel, namely to the KPK Dewas,” he said.
MAKI Coordinator Boyamin Saiman had previously reported KPK leaders, deputies, and spokespersons to the KPK Dewas. Boyamin reported alleged ethical violations related to the change in status of former Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to house arrest.
“KPK leaders automatically because they made and ordered decisions without collective collegiality. One of them and the others as mentioned. Then second, the KPK spokesperson because they stated he was healthy and allowed other families to apply,” said Boyamin at the KPK building in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (25/3).
Denies It Was Done Covertly
The KPK denies that the transfer of Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to house arrest was done covertly. The KPK emphasises that the detention status change was an institutional decision.
“So far, there isn’t any. Because it wasn’t done covertly either, as the parties who according to the law must receive notification have been notified by us,” said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu at the KPK Building in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Thursday (26/3/2026).
Asep said one of the considerations for transferring Yaqut to house arrest was the investigation strategy to accelerate the handling of this case. He said the parties who should receive notification of the detention transfer have been informed.
“Well, what I conveyed is a strategy related to the investigation, specifically how we can accelerate the handling of this case.
And one of them is public support, of course, which we greatly hope for,” said Asep.
Asep emphasised that Yaqut’s house arrest transfer was an institutional decision. He said the detention transfer was also carried out in accordance with procedures.
“So, regarding that request, of course, it has been discussed in a meeting or exposition, so it’s not a personal decision; it’s an institutional decision. And of course, considering first the legal norms, whether the legal norms exist or not,” said Asep.
“What I mentioned earlier is that we see the legal norms exist. In the old law, it’s in the KUHAP, specifically KUHAP Law No. 8 of 1981, regulated in Articles 22 and 23. In Law No. 20 of 2025 or the new KUHAP, it’s regulated in Article 108, from paragraph 1 to 11, so the legal norms exist like that,” he added.