Yaqut's Lawyer Rejects KPK Arguments in Pretrial, Says Suspect Designation Did Not Meet Procedure

JAKARTA — The legal team of former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Mellisa Anggraini, stated that their client denies and does not agree with the answer presented by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The remarks were made during the replication reading in a praperadilan (pretrial) suit at the South Jakarta District Court on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

“We state that we reject all arguments outlined by the respondent in its answer,” Mellisa stated in court.

First, the insufficiency of the evidentiary basis. Second, the procedure for designation as a suspect did not meet the applicable procedural law. Third, the respondent lacked authority to conduct investigation and to designate the applicant as a suspect. “The applicant demonstrates that the respondent’s actions exceeded the authority granted by law, without needing to discuss the essence of the criminal matter itself,” she said.

She also highlighted that in the respondent’s answer there was not adequate explanation regarding the grounds for designating the applicant as a suspect. Then, whether the procedure for designating a suspect was carried out in accordance with procedural law at the time of the act, and whether the investigation and designation of the applicant as a suspect complied with the authority possessed by the respondent.