A notable absence at the KPK Detention Center on Eid al-Fitr 2026, specifically Saturday, March 21, has sparked questions regarding Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, widely known as Gus Yaqut. The former Religious Affairs Minister, currently under detention for an alleged hajj quota corruption case, was reportedly not seen by visitors, raising eyebrows given his high-profile status.
Addressing the unusual report, KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed that the commission would immediately investigate the veracity of these claims. “We will check on that first,” Budi told reporters, indicating the agency’s swift attention to the matter.
The revelation concerning Gus Yaqut‘s whereabouts at the KPK detention facility was first brought to light by Silvia Rinita Harefa, the wife of ex-Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer. Silvia herself was at the center to visit her husband, who is being held on suspicion of involvement in an alleged extortion case related to K3 certification processes within the Ministry of Manpower.
During her visit, Silvia recounted her observation to reporters: “I didn’t happen to see Gus Yaqut earlier. The word circulating is that he left on Thursday night.” She further elaborated on the circulating rumors, suggesting that Gus Yaqut was purportedly undergoing an examination, which would explain his absence during the communal Eid prayers.
Silvia expressed her bewilderment regarding the timing of this alleged investigation. “Yes, before Friday, if I’m not mistaken. The information is that he was supposedly going to be examined, but people inside said he wasn’t there for the Eid prayers,” she relayed. Her skepticism intensified regarding the plausibility of an examination nearing Takbiran night—the eve of Eid—and extending to the current day. “Everyone knows about it, they’re just questioning why an examination would happen right before such a significant holiday, yet he remains absent even now,” she added, highlighting the persistent mystery surrounding Gus Yaqut‘s whereabouts.
The reports of Gus Yaqut‘s unexplained absence during a major holiday only add another layer of intrigue to the complex Hajj Quota Case. In this high-profile corruption scandal, the KPK has already officially designated Gus Yaqut and his former special staff, Ishfah Abidal Aziz, known publicly as Gus Alex, as suspects. Both individuals are currently under detention as the investigation progresses.
The heart of the investigation revolves around alleged illicit hajj quota arrangements that reportedly transpired throughout 2023 and 2024. It is suspected that these sacred pilgrimage quotas were systematically manipulated in exchange for a substantial fee. This corrupt practice involved demanding payments from Special Hajj Organizers (PIHK), commonly known as hajj travel bureaus, who then allegedly burdened the prospective special hajj pilgrims with these additional costs, embedding them directly into their travel package prices.
Both Gus Yaqut and Gus Alex are believed by the KPK to have wielded considerable influence and played pivotal roles in orchestrating these elaborate hajj quota manipulation schemes. While the exact figures remain undisclosed by the KPK, the commission has indicated that significant “fees” allegedly flowed directly to both individuals. The charges against them fall under the Corruption Law (UU Tipikor), specifically relating to actions causing substantial state loss, which the KPK has estimated to be a staggering Rp 622 billion.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, both suspects have publicly asserted their defenses. Upon his detention, Gus Yaqut vehemently denied ever receiving a single penny from the alleged hajj quota scheme, maintaining that his actions were solely motivated by a concern for pilgrims’ safety. Similarly, Gus Alex affirmed that he has provided extensive information to investigators, expressing hope that his statements would ultimately reveal the full truth. Crucially, Gus Alex also emphasized that he received no orders from Gus Yaqut pertaining to the alleged corrupt activities, aiming to distance his actions from those of his former superior.