The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has temporarily transferred the detention status of former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to house arrest, effective March 19, 2026. This provisional change, initiated by investigators, alters his confinement from a state detention facility to home-based supervision.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed that this decision followed a review of a request submitted by Yaqut’s family on March 17, 2026. The commission granted the appeal, citing provisions within Law No. 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP). Prasetyo informed reporters on Saturday, March 21, that the transfer of detention type officially commenced on Thursday night, March 19.
Prasetyo further elaborated that Article 108 of the KUHAP allows for three distinct types of detention: state detention facilities, house arrest, and city arrest, creating a legal pathway for such transfers via an investigation warrant. Despite the altered status, the KPK underscored its commitment to maintaining strict supervision over Yaqut, ensuring the legal proceedings continue uninterrupted and in accordance with established regulations. He affirmed, “This detention transfer process adheres to all procedures, and the case handling remains ongoing.”
Prior to the official announcement, speculation had already begun circulating among detainees regarding Yaqut’s absence from the state detention facility. Silvia Rinita Harefa, wife of corruption suspect Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan, told reporters on Saturday, March 21, that Yaqut had not been seen since the evening of March 19, 2026. “We didn’t see Gus Yaqut earlier. The information was that he left Thursday night,” Harefa stated.
Harefa also noted that Yaqut was conspicuously absent during the Eid al-Fitr prayers on March 21, 2026, a detail widely known among the inmates even before any official explanation emerged. This development comes as Yaqut had previously been named a suspect in an alleged hajj quota corruption case spanning 2023-2024, with his designation occurring on January 9, 2026.
He was initially detained at the KPK’s Gedung Merah Putih Branch State Detention House starting March 12, 2026, following the rejection of his pre-trial lawsuit just a day prior. According to findings from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), the alleged corruption case is estimated to have caused state losses amounting to a staggering Rp622 billion.
Summary
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has temporarily transferred former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas from state detention to house arrest, effective March 19, 2026. This decision followed a review of his family’s request on March 17, 2026, and was granted based on provisions in Law No. 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code. KPK confirmed this transfer on March 21, emphasizing that supervision will remain strict and legal proceedings will continue.
Speculation about Yaqut’s absence, including from Eid al-Fitr prayers, preceded the official announcement of his transfer. He was named a suspect in an alleged hajj quota corruption case (2023-2024) on January 9, 2026, and was initially detained at the KPK detention house from March 12, 2026. The alleged corruption is estimated to have caused state losses amounting to Rp622 billion.