Yaqut's Pre-trial Bid Fails, Investigation into Jokowi-era Hajj Quota Corruption Continues

A single judge at Jakarta South District Court, Sulistyo Muhammad Dwi Putro, has rejected the pre-trial motion (case number 19/Pid.Pra/2026) filed by Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in its entirety during a hearing on Wednesday, 11 March.

“The court rules: the pre-trial motion filed by the applicant is rejected in its entirety,” the judge declared in the Oemar Seno Adji courtroom at Jakarta South District Court.

The judge stated that the suspect designation imposed by the KPK against Yaqut was consistent with Constitutional Court Decision Number 21 of 2014 dated 28 April 2015 and Supreme Court Regulation Number 4 of 2016.

In response to the ruling, KPK Deputy for Prosecution and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu expressed appreciation and respect for the judge’s decision.

“I wish to convey our appreciation and respect for this ruling by the bench. Of course, we respect the decision made by the bench,” Asep said at Jakarta South District Court on Wednesday, 11 March.

Asep expressed gratitude that the KPK could proceed with handling the alleged corruption case involving additional hajj quotas. This week, he stated, the KPK has scheduled an interrogation with Yaqut.

“As his current status is that of a suspect, he has been called in. This week,” he said.

Asep stated that investigators have scheduled Yaqut’s interrogation for this week.

“We have called in the individual concerned in the near future. They have been called in (as a suspect). His current status is that of a suspect. This week,” he added.

This one-star police general stated that handling the alleged corruption case involving additional hajj quotas is a priority for completion. Particularly since the Investigation Order (Sprindik) was issued back in August of last year.

Asep assured that the KPK will promptly conclude handling of the hajj case from the era of Indonesia’s seventh President Joko Widodo.

“As quickly as possible, because this case has had its Investigation Order issued since last year, from August if I recall correctly, it has been proceeding continuously, which is why it has been made a priority,” he said.

When asked about the possibility of detaining Yaqut, Asep explained that many factors are being considered, including case management strategy. Particularly since there is another suspect in this case: Yaqut’s Special Staff member named Ishfah Abidal Aziz, also known as Gus Alex.

“Many matters need to be considered. It is not merely about meeting the elements of the law, but we also look at how we will handle the case. This case does not involve only one suspect; there are other suspects,” Asep explained.

“Regarding detention, it is part of our strategy. We examine how we will manage the case and other factors. We consider these carefully. Once our considerations are aligned, we certainly will not delay,” he stressed.

Yaqut and his Special Staff member Ishfah Abidal Aziz, also known as Gus Alex, have been designated as suspects by the KPK in the alleged corruption case involving additional hajj quotas. However, neither has been detained to date. The KPK previously stated it respected the ongoing pre-trial process.

Nevertheless, the KPK has already 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 process, the KPK has conducted raids at several locations, including Yaqut’s residence in Condet, East Jakarta, hajj and umrah travel agency offices in Jakarta, a civil servant’s home at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Depok, and the office of the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Implementation (PHU) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Numerous items of evidence allegedly related to the case have been seized, including documents, electronic evidence, four-wheeled vehicles and property.

According to calculations by the State Audit Board (BPK), the state has suffered losses totalling Rp622,090,207,166.41 (Rp622 billion) from the alleged corruption case involving additional hajj quotas for the 2023 and 2024 implementation years.

This figure was released some time ago, well after Yaqut and Ishfah were designated and announced as suspects by the KPK.