The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has issued a summons for examination to Ridwan Kamil (RK), the former Governor of West Java. This summons is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption concerning advertising procurement at Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat dan Banten (Bank BJB).
“The summons has been dispatched,” stated Asep Guntur Rahayu, Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, to reporters on Monday, December 1st. Rahayu elaborated that the summons for RK was sent approximately a week prior. However, he did not provide specific details regarding RK’s confirmation of attendance for the questioning. “What is clear is that we have sent it, and hopefully, it has been received, as it was sent a week ago,” he added. Rahayu also refrained from disclosing the specifics of the interrogation material that RK would face, saying, “We cannot yet disclose the material.” As of now, Ridwan Kamil has not issued any statement regarding this investigative summons.
The investigation into Bank BJB corruption has also brought to light a suspicious transaction involving a luxury car. Previously, the KPK questioned Ilham Habibie, the son of Indonesia’s 3rd President, B.J. Habibie. This examination was related to the purchase of his Mercedes-Benz by Ridwan Kamil. “The car was bought, being paid in installments but not yet fully settled. So, it wasn’t yet his property. The price was Rp 2.6 billion, but there was no contract. [What has been paid] is Rp 1.3 [billion], half of it,” Ilham revealed after his examination by the KPK on Wednesday, September 3rd. Ilham stated that the sale of the car began in 2021, though he claimed no detailed knowledge of the transaction. The vehicle is reportedly still registered under B.J. Habibie’s name. Ilham further disclosed that the Mercedes initially had a silver color but was subsequently repainted metallic blue by Ridwan Kamil. Currently, the car is located at a workshop in Bandung. The KPK seized the vehicle, suspecting that RK purchased it using funds allegedly derived from the Bank BJB corruption case. Additionally, the KPK has questioned celebrity influencer Lisa Mariana regarding alleged fund transfers from RK. Lisa admitted to receiving money pertinent to the case.
At the heart of this broader investigation is the alleged manipulation of Bank BJB advertising procurement. The KPK has already named five individuals as suspects in this case: Yuddy Renaldi, the President Director of BJB; Widi Hartoto, Head of BJB’s Corporate Secretary Division; Ikin Asikin Dulmanan, owner of the agencies Antedja Muliatama and Cakrawala Kreasi Mandiri; Suhendrik, owner of BSC and Wahana Semesta Bandung Ekspress agencies; and R. Sophan Jaya Kusuma, owner of Cipta Karya Mandiri Bersama and Cipta Karya Sukses Bersama agencies.
This particular case centers on alleged corruption in the placement of Bank BJB advertisements in media from 2021 to 2023. Investigators suspect collusion between BJB officials and advertising agencies to manipulate the procurement process for these advertisements. Out of an allocated budget of approximately Rp 300 billion, it is alleged that only Rp 100 billion was genuinely utilized for media advertising, leaving a fictitious difference of Rp 222 billion. These substantial funds are believed to have been diverted by BJB parties to fulfill “non-budgetary” financial requirements. The KPK is diligently probing the identity of the mastermind behind these non-budgetary funds and their specific allocation, meticulously tracing the flow of these illicit finances.
In the course of this extensive investigation, the KPK conducted searches at Ridwan Kamil‘s residence and Bank BJB‘s head office. RK has publicly stated his cooperation with the KPK‘s investigative process. The five named suspects face charges under Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 of the Anti-Corruption Law. While all five have been barred from leaving the country, they have not yet been detained by authorities.
Summary
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has issued a summons for former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil (RK) to be questioned regarding alleged corruption in Bank BJB’s advertising procurement. The summons was sent about a week prior to a December 1st statement, though details about RK’s confirmed attendance or specific interrogation material have not been disclosed. This investigation also involves a luxury Mercedes-Benz purchased by RK, which the KPK seized, suspecting it was bought with funds derived from the alleged Bank BJB corruption case.
The broader investigation focuses on alleged manipulation in Bank BJB advertising procurement between 2021 and 2023, with five individuals already named as suspects, including the bank’s President Director and advertising agency owners. Investigators suspect collusion diverted approximately Rp 222 billion from a Rp 300 billion budget for “non-budgetary” financial requirements. The KPK is actively tracing these illicit funds and has conducted searches at RK’s residence and Bank BJB’s head office.