Yaqut's Legal Team Optimistic Judge Will Annul Suspect Status
The legal team of Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has expressed full confidence that the Solo Judge of the South Jakarta District Court will grant the pretrial motion to annul his suspect status in the hajj quota corruption case. The hearing verdict is scheduled to be read on Wednesday, 11 March.
This optimism emerged following a series of courtroom facts that are considered fundamental weaknesses in the KPK’s designation of suspect status.
Yaqut’s counsel, Mellisa Anggraini, emphasised that their confidence was based on objective facts, evidence, and expert testimony presented during the court proceedings.
One of the crucial points highlighted was the KPK’s acknowledgement regarding the use of provisions considered no longer relevant. According to Mellisa, the KPK admitted to applying Article 55 of the old Criminal Code regarding participation in offences, which has been replaced in the new Criminal Code and will be amended accordingly.
“This statement indirectly demonstrates that there was an error in applying criminal law provisions used as the basis for designating our client, Yaqut, as a suspect,” Mellisa said in her official statement on Tuesday, 10 March.
Beyond the statutory issue, the legal team also found serious procedural defects related to the suspect designation document. Mellisa revealed that her client never formally received a suspect designation letter, but only a notification letter without the core document that carries binding legal force.
“This fact was even reinforced by expert testimony presented by the KPK itself during the hearing,” she added.
The proceedings also examined the authority of the KPK leadership. Referring to changes in the KPK Law and the Criminal Procedure Code, Mellisa argued that the anti-corruption agency’s leadership no longer has authority as investigators. This has implications for the legality of the suspect designation action, which should be carried out by a legally valid investigator.
Finally, Mellisa raised concerns about the timeline for calculating state losses, which appeared irregular. Based on facts presented at trial, the state loss audit report was only issued on 20 February 2026, while the suspect designation was made well before that date.
“This situation demonstrates serious problems in both the procedural aspects and legal basis for the suspect designation,” she stressed.
Closing her statement, Mellisa affirmed that the defence places full trust in the judge’s integrity to decide the case objectively.
“We fully respect the ongoing judicial process and place confidence in the judge to decide this case objectively, based on the law and facts revealed during the hearing,” she concluded.