News Summary:
- The KPK confirmed that Gus Yaqut is now under house arrest since Thursday evening, based on a family request.
- Gus Yaqut‘s whereabouts sparked questions due to his absence from Eid al-Fitr prayers at the KPK Detention Center.
- The former Minister of Religious Affairs is a suspect in a hajj quota case, with alleged state losses reaching Rp622 billion.
Teknowarta The mystery surrounding the whereabouts of former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, widely known as Gus Yaqut, who was reportedly missing from the KPK Detention Center since Thursday evening, March 19, 2026, has finally been resolved.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has officially confirmed that the detention status of the suspect in the alleged hajj quota corruption case has been switched to house arrest.
KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo verified this information, stating that the change in detention type was granted following a request submitted by Gus Yaqut‘s family on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
“Indeed, investigators have changed the detention status for suspect Brother YCQ, from detention at the KPK Detention Center to house arrest, effective since last Thursday evening,” Budi clarified in his statement on Saturday, March 21, 2026, as reported by Teknowarta.
Budi elaborated that the family’s request underwent a comprehensive review by the investigative team. The transfer was subsequently approved, with considerations citing Article 108, Paragraphs (1) and (11) of Law Number 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).
Despite this temporary switch to house arrest, Budi emphatically stated that the KPK would maintain strict supervision, ensuring the legal process remains uninterrupted. “Throughout the duration of this detention transfer, the KPK will continue to conduct inherent oversight and security measures for the individual concerned. We assure that this temporary transition to house arrest complies with all regulations and procedures. Likewise, the handling of this case will proceed strictly according to prevailing laws,” Budi affirmed.
This official statement from the KPK simultaneously dispelled the rampant rumors and speculations that had circulated widely among inmates at the KPK Detention Center.
Earlier, Silvia Rinita Harefa, the wife of former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan (also known as Noel), had revealed whispers concerning Gus Yaqut‘s “disappearance.” Silvia obtained this information after visiting her husband during the Eid al-Fitr celebration at the KPK Detention Center, Gedung Merah Putih Branch, on Saturday afternoon, March 21, 2026.
Speaking to the media, Silvia mentioned that other detainees became aware that Gus Yaqut was no longer in his cell since the eve of Eid (malam takbiran). “Well… I didn’t see Gus Yaqut earlier. The information circulating was that he left on Thursday evening,” Silvia shared at the location.
Silvia further recounted that other inmates were initially perplexed, as the rumor within the detention center suggested Gus Yaqut had been taken out for an examination. This explanation raised significant questions among fellow cellmates, who deemed it highly unusual for an examination to be conducted on the eve of Eid al-Fitr.
Their suspicions intensified when Gus Yaqut was conspicuously absent from the line of Muslim detainees performing congregational Eid al-Fitr prayers at the KPK‘s Gedung Juang on Saturday morning. “The information was that he was supposedly going for an examination, but according to those inside, he wasn’t there for the Eid prayers; he was simply absent,” Silvia added, conveying the detainees’ bewilderment.
Silvia‘s statements aligned with observations made by media personnel on the ground. Indeed, among the dozens of detainees who were brought out in waves to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers starting at 07:03 AM WIB, the former Minister of Religious Affairs was nowhere to be seen. This was particularly notable as his former subordinate, Ishfah Abidal Aziz, also known as Gus Alex, who is also implicated in the same case, was visibly present among the group.
For context, Gus Yaqut himself has been detained by the KPK since Thursday, March 12, 2026. He was named a suspect for alleged criminal acts of corruption involving the abuse of authority concerning additional hajj quotas for the 2023-2024 period, which is estimated to have caused state financial losses reaching a staggering Rp622 billion.
With this confirmation of the change in his detention status, the public’s and fellow inmates’ questions regarding Gus Yaqut‘s whereabouts have now been fully answered, bringing clarity to a situation that had caused considerable speculation.
Summary
Gus Yaqut, former Minister of Religious Affairs