Calls to Uncover Intellectual Actors Behind BNPB Rapid Response Fund Corruption

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is urged to thoroughly investigate the alleged corruption of rapid response funds (DSP) at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

This demand was highlighted by Zaenur Rohman, a researcher from the Anti-Corruption Study Center (Pukat) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM).

He emphasized that this corruption represents one of the most heinous practices, given that these funds should be used to respond to disasters and assist victims.

"The investigation into this matter must mobilize all available resources to uncover every party involved, especially the intellectual actors," Zaenur told Kompas.com.

The KPK is considered to need to investigate the possible involvement of former BNPB Chief Suharyanto, especially since Bima Setiawan, his brother, is one of the suspects in this case.

He urged the KPK to seek evidence regarding knowledge, approval, orders, or funds flowing to the leadership.

Zaenur hopes that legal enforcement in this BNPB case will be impartial and not solely target staff members.

"It is important for the KPK to find evidence regarding whether there was knowledge, approval, orders, or funds that reached the (former) Head of BNPB," Zaenur stated.

RENO ESNIR Officials display evidence from the OTT related to the use of Rapid Response Funds (DSP) at BNPB, observed by Acting Director of Investigations Achmad Taufik Husein (center) at the KPK's Red and White Building in Jakarta on Friday (16/10/2026). The KPK confiscated evidence worth approximately IDR 5.47 billion in cash, foreign currencies, gold, and cryptocurrency related to this case, involving suspects Bima Setiawan as the brother and advisor to former BNPB Chief Suharyanto, Gabriel Purwaka Sigit, Richard Erlangga as the advisor to the Head of BNPB, and private individuals Gery Prasetiawan and Syifa Nrika Ghifarian. ANTARA FOTO/Reno Esnir/sgd/agr

Corruption of BNPB Rapid Response Funds

It is known that the KPK revealed suspicions of conflict of interest and bribery in the procurement of goods and services using DSP at BNPB.

In a press conference at the KPK's Red and White Building in Jakarta on Friday (16/10/2026), investigators outlined procurement allegations worth IDR 148 billion involving companies affiliated with Bima Setiawan, who is both the brother and advisor to former BNPB Chief Suharyanto.

The KPK also revealed allegations of billion-rupiah payments received by BNPB officials, along with the seizure of evidence worth around IDR 5.47 billion.

Five individuals have been named suspects in this case: Bima Setiawan, BNPB Chief Advisor Richard Erlangga, Head of the Sub-Directorate for Disaster Relief Management at BNPB Gabriel Purwaka Sigit, along with two private individuals, Gery Prasetiawan and Syifa Nrika Ghifarin.

Acting Director of KPK Investigations Achmad Taufik Husein explained that this case relates to the use of DSP for handling various disasters, including forest and land fires (karhutla) in Kalimantan and Papua, earthquakes in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and floods in Aceh and Sumatra.