Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Responds to Bangka Belitung Deputy Governor’s Return After 4 Months in Prison

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto responded to Hellyana's return as Deputy Governor (Wagub) of Bangka Belitung (Babel) following her release from prison.

Bima Arya stated that he needs to conduct a thorough review first.

"I will look into it first," Bima Arya told Kompas.com at JCC, Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (18/9/2026).

He explained that he needs to understand the legal framework and chronology involved.

Therefore, according to him, the Ministry of Home Affairs must be cautious in deciding the next steps.

"I am examining the legal construction and the timeline of events. We have to be very careful. I will study this and look into it further," he added.

It is known that Hellyana, Deputy Governor of Bangka Belitung Islands, has resumed her governmental duties after being officially released from Pangkalpinang Women's Prison.

Hellyana stated that she will continue to perform her duties as deputy governor, including coordinating with the Governor of Bangka Belitung Islands and the regional secretary.

"Praise be to God, I am now back on duty as usual. Tomorrow I will participate in the Integrity Babel ceremony, God willing, together with the governor," Hellyana said when contacted on Wednesday (16/9/2026).

According to Hellyana, during the legal proceedings, she faced obstacles in carrying out her duties as deputy governor.

After her release, she said she would revisit the division of tasks with the governor and regional secretary.

"I will meet with the governor and the secretary to discuss the deputy governor's responsibilities so they can be carried out. We will do our best to realize development for the community," Hellyana said.

The panel of judges, headed by Marolop Winner Pasrolan, previously sentenced Hellyana to four months in prison on May 18, 2026, in a case involving fraudulent hotel bills amounting to Rp 22 million.

This sentence was lighter than the prosecutor's demand of eight months imprisonment.

The case began between August 2023 and September 2024 at a hotel in Pangkalpinang.

Hellyana was accused of ordering hotel rooms, meeting rooms, meeting packages, food and beverages, and other facilities for various activities through an intermediary, Nuraida Adelia Saragih alias Adelia, who at the time was the hotel's manager and the complainant.

However, the bills for these bookings were reportedly not paid to the hotel management.

The complainant claimed she had to pay the hotel and other facility bills personally, amounting to Rp 22,257,000.