Jakarta – The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) has sharply criticized the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for transferring former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to house arrest. The decision has raised concerns about transparency and fairness in the ongoing hajj quota corruption case, with MAKI alleging a lack of openness from the KPK regarding the change in Yaqut’s detention status. The controversy surrounding the case highlights ongoing scrutiny of the KPK’s handling of high-profile corruption investigations.
The lack of public announcement regarding Yaqut’s transfer to house arrest is a central point of contention. According to MAKI Coordinator Boyamin Saiman, “The biggest problem now with the transfer of Gus Yaqut to house arrest is remarkably disappointing to all of us. First, there was no announcement.” This lack of transparency, Saiman argues, undermines public trust in the KPK’s commitment to accountability. The information about Yaqut’s whereabouts first surfaced through Silvia Rinita Harefa, the wife of former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer (Noel), after she visited Noel during the Eid al-Fitr holiday on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Harefa reportedly learned from her husband that Yaqut had not been seen at the KPK detention center since Thursday, March 19, 2026. The KPK subsequently confirmed the change in Yaqut’s detention status, stating he had been placed under house arrest. Saiman criticized the KPK for its initial silence, stating, “If it hadn’t been leaked by Noel’s wife, it wouldn’t have been known. Meanwhile, the KPK, under the KPK Law, prioritizes openness.” He urged the KPK to provide a clear explanation for the decision, suggesting a possible attempt to conceal the change until it was revealed by another detainee’s family.
The timing of the transfer, just before Eid al-Fitr, has also drawn criticism, fueling speculation that Yaqut was granted house arrest to allow him to celebrate the holiday outside of detention. Saiman emphasized that the KPK has not previously granted similar concessions in cases where the accused were not ill. “The KPK has never granted detention suspensions or transfers of detention for health reasons. This suddenly happened without illness, and it happened before Eid. This becomes discrimination; others are detained even as Gus Yaqut is transferred to house arrest as if for Eid,” he stated.
Saiman further contrasted the KPK’s handling of Yaqut’s case with that of former Papua Governor Lukas Enembe. He noted that the KPK had denied a request from Enembe’s family to release him from detention due to health concerns, despite their pleas. Enembe ultimately died while in custody. “What’s amusing is the KPK’s reason as there was a request from the family, and Lukas Enembe was not granted it even until his death. Even when he was sick, it wasn’t granted. But YCQ is healthy and was granted it,” Saiman remarked.
KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed that Yaqut has been under house arrest since Thursday, March 19, 2026, but offered limited explanation for the decision. He stated that the house arrest is temporary and not related to Yaqut’s health. Prasetyo explained that the KPK granted the request after receiving a petition from Yaqut’s family, without providing further details regarding the reasons behind the family’s request. “It’s not because of illness. It’s because there was a request from the family, which we then processed,” Prasetyo said.
The case centers around allegations of corruption related to the allocation of hajj quotas, with reports indicating a potential loss of $64 million, as reported by Jakarta Globe. The KPK is currently investigating the matter, and Yaqut’s house arrest has become a focal point of public debate.
The controversy surrounding Yaqut’s case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the fight against corruption in Indonesia. As the investigation progresses, the public will be closely watching to witness how the KPK addresses the concerns raised by MAKI and other observers. The next steps in the investigation, and whether further details regarding the rationale behind Yaqut’s house arrest will be revealed, remain to be seen.
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