Yaqut House Arrest: KPK Detention Center Absence Explained

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The existence of the former Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, has become a concern within the KPK detention center. This emerged after a number of prisoners no longer saw Yaqut.

Former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer said through his wife, Silvia Harefa, that Yaqut had not been seen in the detention center since Thursday (19/3/2026) evening.

Also read: Concerning the Flow of Hajj Quota Corruption Money to Yaqut, KPK: Will Be Revealed at Trial

“I didn’t see Gus Yaqut earlier. The information was said to have come out on Thursday evening,” said Silvia when met by journalists at the location, Saturday.

Furthermore, Silvia was also told that Yaqut was not in the row of prisoners performing the Eid al-Fitr prayer at the KPK Red and White Mosque this morning.

“They were just asking questions, they said there would be an inspection, but it’s impossible that there would be an inspection before the evening of the takbiran, right. Until today there hasn’t been one,” said Silvia.

According to Kompas.com’s observations in the field, Yaqut’s figure was not visible when the prisoners came out after performing the Eid al-Fitr prayer.

Also read: Story from the Corruption Eradication Committee: Yaqut’s Million Dollar Plan to Bribe the DPR Hajj Special Committee

Only former special staff, Special Staff (Stafsus) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Ishfah Abidal Aziz or Gus Alex, were seen and had time to greet the media crew.

So under house arrest

Yaqut’s whereabouts were finally confirmed after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) transferred his detention status from detention center to house arrest.

“Investigators have transferred the type of detention of the suspect, Brother YCQ, from detention in the KPK detention center to house arrest, since last Thursday (19/3/2026),” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in his statement, Saturday (21/3/2026).

Also read: Even though he once chaired the Hajj Special Committee, Cak Imin chose not to comment on the Yaqut case

Budi said that the transfer of detention was carried out based on a request from the family submitted on Tuesday (17/3/2026).

“The request was then reviewed and granted with consideration in accordance with Article 108 paragraphs (1) and (11), Law Number 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code,” continued Budi.

Budi said that this transfer of prisoners was only temporary.

“While carrying out the transfer of detention, the Corruption Eradication Committee continues to carry out close supervision and security for the person concerned,” continued Budi.

Yaqut’s detention

The Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) detained Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as a suspect in the alleged corruption case regarding the 2023-2024 Hajj quota on Thursday (12/3/2026) last night.

Yaqut was officially detained after being questioned as a suspect at the Red and White Building, Jakarta.

“Today, the Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) detained the suspect, Brother YCQ, for the first 20 days starting from 12-31 March 2026. The detention was carried out at the State Detention Center (Rutan) of the KPK Red and White House Branch,” said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu in Press conference at the Red and White Building, Jakarta, Thursday.

Also read: KPK Says Yaqut Sets Rp. 84.4 Million Per Pilgrim for Hajj Without Queuing in 2023

Yaqut was charged with Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes.

The Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) revealed that state losses resulting from the alleged Hajj quota corruption case reached IDR 622 billion.

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