JAKARTA – In a significant development for an ongoing corruption probe, the South Jakarta District Court’s Single Judge, Sulistyo Muhammad Dwi Putro, has officially rejected the pre-trial motion filed by former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. This pivotal ruling, handed down on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, unequivocally upholds the legitimacy of Yaqut’s suspect status in the alleged 2023-2024 Hajj quota corruption case.
“Rejecting the petitioner’s pre-trial motion in its entirety. Burdening the petitioner with court costs amounting to zero,” Judge Sulistyo declared, solidifying the court’s stance. The judge dismissed all legal petitions brought forward by the petitioner, citing their lack of permanent legal force. Furthermore, the court also rejected all exceptions raised by the respondent, paving the way for the original decision regarding Yaqut’s suspect status to stand.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had previously named not only Yaqut but also his special staff, Ishfah Abidal Aziz, widely known as Gus Alex, as suspects in this high-profile case. Despite being designated suspects since January 8, 2026, neither individual has been formally detained, a detail that continues to draw public attention as the investigation progresses.
KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, Asep Guntur Rahayu, shed light on the core allegations during a press conference held on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Rahayu explained that Yaqut and Gus Alex are suspected of orchestrating a significant alteration in the distribution of Hajj quotas. The established allocation, which mandates 92% for regular Hajj and 8% for special Hajj, was allegedly manipulated to an even split of 50% for regular Hajj and 50% for special Hajj.
“The Minister of Religious Affairs at that time, brother YCQ, then divided it into 50% – 50%, 10,000 – 10,000. That is certainly not, what’s it called, not in accordance with existing laws. That’s the starting point, the division was like that, so 10,000 – 10,000,” Asep elaborated, underscoring the alleged deviation from legal provisions. In addition to this quota manipulation, the anti-corruption agency’s investigative team has uncovered evidence of illicit financial transactions, including kickbacks, flowing from various parties to both Yaqut and Gus Alex.
“Then also from these processes, during this investigation, we found a flow of money back, kickbacks and so on there,” Asep further confirmed, highlighting the financial irregularities central to the ongoing corruption inquiry.