Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is now under house arrest, according to Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The shift in his detention status is not related to his health, officials said.
“It’s not due to illness,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo told reporters on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Prasetyo stated that the move to house arrest followed a request from Yaqut’s family, which the KPK granted without providing further details regarding the family’s reasoning.
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
“The decision was made because the family submitted a request, which we then processed,” Prasetyo explained.
The KPK also clarified the differing treatment Yaqut is receiving compared to other KPK detainees, such as former Papua Governor Lukas Enembe, whose detention was previously suspended due to health reasons. Prasetyo noted that each investigation has a unique approach to case management, including the handling of suspect detention.
“Why is it different from the case of LE? Each investigation naturally has different conditions and strategies for handling the case, including the detention of a suspect,” Prasetyo said.
Yaqut’s absence from the KPK detention center initially came to light after Immanuel Ebenezer (Noel), former Deputy Minister of Manpower’s wife, Silvia Rinita Harefa, visited Noel at the KPK detention center on Saturday, March 21, 2026, during the Eid al-Fitr holiday. Silvia said her husband and other KPK detainees hadn’t seen Yaqut since Thursday, March 19.
“Actually, I didn’t spot Gus Yaqut today. The information is that he left Thursday night,” Silvia said.
According to Silvia, her husband and other detainees were aware of Yaqut’s sudden disappearance from the KPK detention center and were questioning his whereabouts.
“Everyone knows about it. They’re just wondering, saying there was an examination, but it’s unlikely there would be an examination on the eve of Eid,” Silvia explained.
Silvia also stated that Yaqut was not seen by other detainees during Eid prayers at the detention center, where the KPK had facilitated prayers for Muslim detainees.
“The information is that he was going to be examined nearby, but people inside said he wasn’t there for Eid prayers,” Silvia added.
Simak juga Video: KPK Ungkap Peran Bos Maktour Fuad di Kasus Kuota Haji yang Jerat Yaqut
(ygs/imk)
The case involving the former Religious Affairs Minister highlights the complexities of Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption within its government. The KPK’s decision to grant house arrest, despite ongoing investigations, raises questions about the balance between due process and public accountability.
