Luxury Cluster Discovery at Cibinong Prison: Starting from Ombudsman Inspection, Five Officials Suspended

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Ombudsman has uncovered a "luxury cluster" within the Class IIA Cibinong prison, prompting the Ministry of Immigration and Law (Kementerian Imipas) to take action, which included the suspension of five officials.

This discovery emerged from a surprise inspection conducted by the Ombudsman on Wednesday (September 23, 2026).

During a press conference on Thursday (September 24, 2026), Ombudsman member Syafrida Rachmawati Rasahan revealed that investigators found a "luxury cluster" that was housing several inmates.

According to the Ombudsman's observations, the area contained more than ten houses and several luxury vehicles parked nearby.

When the Ombudsman team managed to enter one of the houses, they discovered amenities comparable to those found in an apartment.

These included a living room, a bedroom, a television, a refrigerator, and other facilities.

"We found several housing locations around the prison that appeared to be buildings resembling homestays with blue-painted tin roofs. Inside, there were sofas, refrigerators, televisions, and dining tables," Syafrida stated during the press conference at the Ombudsman office in South Jakarta on Thursday.

She also highlighted the existence of a complete fitness facility and ongoing construction of a golf simulator.

Not only did the Ombudsman uncover opulent facilities, but they also found security vulnerabilities at the Class IIA Cibinong prison, including unlocked exits at the back of the block houses, which led directly to a bamboo forest and a waste disposal area.

Allegations of Luxury Cluster Commercialization

Syafrida indicated that through interviews conducted, one resident admitted to paying a sum to access these facilities.

"Based on our interviews at that time, especially with the caretaker of the house, he confirmed he paid a sum, although the exact amount wasn’t mentioned. This situation is indeed commercialized. This is something we need to investigate further," she said.

In addition to the commercialization of housing, Syafrida mentioned that the team also discovered extortion practices within the prison.

She noted this was based on interviews with family members of inmates who were visiting.

"They have mentioned that there are extortion fees they must pay every week. However, it was unclear whether these fees were extorted by officials or among fellow inmates," she remarked.

Following these findings, the Ombudsman has urged the Ministry of Imipas to conduct a comprehensive evaluation regarding the alleged violations.

Syafrida also stated that the Ombudsman is always willing to assist the Ministry of Imipas in collaborating to improve services in prisons.

"Simultaneously ensuring that the public receives their right to services from state organizers," she added.

Minister Conducts Inspection

The day after, Minister of Immigration and Law (Imipas) Agus Andrianto, along with the Head of the Special Development and Investment Control Body (Bappisus), Aris Marsudiyanto, conducted an inspection of the luxury cluster that the Ombudsman had visited.

According to a report from Kompas TV on Friday (September 25, 2026), the condition of one of the houses visited by Minister Imipas and the Head of Bappisus differed from that during the Ombudsman’s inspection.

When Minister Imipas and the Head of Bappisus conducted their inspection, the house lacked the luxurious furnishings captured in the Ombudsman's video.

In response, Aris explained that their agency together with the Ministry of Imipas would undertake an investigation.

"Well, that's the purpose of an investigation—to find out what's been changed and what hasn’t. We are not inexperienced in this matter," he noted.

"The point is, if there are wrongdoings, we will correct them," he added.

Meanwhile, Minister Agus stated that the investigation will last for seven days, with results to be communicated to the public.

"A week, yes," said Agus.

Cibinong Prison Chief and Subordinates Temporarily Suspended

On Saturday (September 26, 2026), the Ministry of Immigration and Law suspended the Head of Class II Cibinong Prison, Wisnu Hani Putanto, along with four of his subordinates.

The four subordinates who were also suspended include the Head of Prison Security Unit (KPLP), Head of Guidance for Inmates/Students and Work Activities (Kasi Binadik), Head of Security and Order (Kasi Kamtib), and Head of General Affairs.

Inspector General of the Ministry of Immigration and Law, Rudi Setiawan, stated that the five suspended officials are under suspicion of being responsible for the conditions uncovered by the Ombudsman.

"We have suspended five structural officials who are suspected to be responsible for the occurrences identified by the Ombudsman," Rudi said at a press conference at Class IIA Cibinong Prison on Saturday.

Rudi indicated that the suspended officials would undergo an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the Ombudsman’s findings.

"I would like to specify, first is the Prison Head, then KPLP, Kasi Binadik, Kasi Kamtib, and the Head of General Affairs responsible for state property," Rudi explained.

"It is these officials who are tasked with managing these facilities. We have suspended them, and we will investigate how the conditions transpired to lead to these findings and until today," he continued.

Rudi also confirmed that an internal investigation would occur following instructions from Minister Agus Andrianto for collaboration with the Directorate General of Corrections to follow up on the Ombudsman’s findings.

Rudi even personally led the field inspection in the area previously visited by the Ombudsman.

"This is an internal immigration investigation. He instructed collaboration with the Directorate General of Corrections to pursue what has been uncovered by the Ombudsman," stated Rudi.