Yaqut's Smile as He Returns to KPK Detention

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas smiled as he underwent the transfer process by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Tuesday (24/3/2026).

Based on observations by Kompas.com, Yaqut was seen smiling upon arriving at the KPK until he was escorted to the detention centre (rutan).

Around 10.33 WIB, Yaqut, who had just completed a health check at Bhayangkara Polri Hospital, appeared to smile from the moment he stepped out of the detention vehicle until he was taken into the KPK’s Merah Putih Building.

Wearing a black peci and an orange vest numbered 129, Yaqut gave a slight smile while responding to questions from the media.

“Yes, alhamdulillah, I was able to pay my respects to my mother. Alhamdulillah,” said Yaqut as he entered the lobby.

Yaqut’s smile faded only as he climbed the stairs to the examination room on the second floor.

His facial expression turned serious as he walked towards the investigators’ room.

A faint smile reappeared after Yaqut completed the examination.

Around 12.06 WIB, after the Zuhr call to prayer, Yaqut was escorted to the detention vehicle to head to the KPK detention centre at the back.

In front of the camera flashes, Yaqut, now holding a grey folder, smiled again.

Yaqut’s smile disappeared as he entered the detention vehicle, which then proceeded to the rutan.

Today, Yaqut returned to being a detainee at the KPK Rutan after previously being transferred to house arrest for several days.

This transfer is the second for Yaqut since being detained by the KPK on Thursday (12/3/2026).

A week later, on Thursday (19/3/2026), Yaqut was transferred to house arrest at his family’s request.

The announcement of this change in detention status was made by the KPK on Saturday (21/3/2026), coinciding with the Eid al-Fitr 1447 H celebration.

After drawing significant attention, Yaqut was transferred back to rutan detention effective Monday (23/3/2026).

“Today, Monday, 23 March 2026, the KPK carried out the process of changing the type of detention for Suspect YCQ in the alleged criminal corruption case regarding Hajj quotas, from house arrest back to KPK Rutan detention,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in his statement on Monday evening.

Yaqut underwent a health examination at Bhayangkara Polri Hospital in East Jakarta.