Indonesia's Ex-Minister of Religious Affairs Under Close Guard During Hospitalization for Corruption Case

Former Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, is under close guard at the RS Polri Kramat Jati hospital as he undergoes inpatient treatment. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that its detention officers are providing "close security" during his medical leave from detention.

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In this period of medical parole, KPK Detention Officers also carry out close security.

Qoumas, who served as minister from 2019 to 2024, is a suspect in a corruption case involving alleged irregularities in the allocation of additional Hajj quotas for the 2023-2024 period. The KPK stated that the detention officers' presence is to ensure Qoumas's safety while he is a detainee on medical parole.

The KPK's investigators are closely monitoring the former minister's medical condition, expressing hope for his swift recovery so he can resume the legal process. The commission is reportedly preparing for the "stage 2" transfer of the suspect, evidence, and case files to the prosecution in the near future. Qoumas's medical parole was granted based on a doctor's examination indicating he was suffering from a digestive illness.

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The KPK hopes that the necessary medical actions can be taken immediately so that the person concerned can recover soon and undergo the legal process again.

The KPK has a timeframe of 90 to 120 days from the initial detention to transfer case files to the court. In this Hajj quota case, Qoumas and his special staff member, Ishfah Abidal Aziz, have had their detention extended. The KPK is also expediting the investigation into two other suspects arrested on June 8: Ismail Adham, Director of Operations at Maktour, and Asrul Azis Taba, Chairman of the Asosiasi Kesthuri and Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama. The investigation has identified over 300 travel bureaus involved in the additional Hajj quota scheme, with some reportedly hesitant to provide information regarding the alleged buying and selling of these quotas.

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Based on medical information, the person concerned is experiencing a digestive tract illness.