Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2014 National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Chief\nLt Gen Kristomei Sianturi has left the handling of a sting operation\n(OTT) linked to the agency to law enforcement officials.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will leave the matter to law enforcement. We will not intervene.\nLaw enforcement officials may process it in accordance with the\napplicable laws and regulations,\u201d Kristomei said in Jakarta on\nThursday.<\/p>\n
He said BNPB would respect the ongoing legal process, adding that the\ncase was under the authority of law enforcement officials.<\/p>\n
Asked whether BNPB might undertake an internal overhaul following the\ncase, Kristomei said the agency would conduct an internal consolidation\nexercise. The move is intended to assess the organisation\u2019s condition\nand ensure the agency is carrying out its duties properly.<\/p>\n
On the possibility of replacing officials implicated in the legal\nproceedings, including BNPB Secretary-General Rustian, Kristomei said\nreplacements could be made if necessary.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it is necessary because of the legal process, then [the official]\nwill be replaced,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kristomei also said he would follow the applicable legal process\nregarding legal assistance for those facing proceedings in the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will simply follow the legal process and see what is best,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) earlier confirmed that it\nhad conducted a sting operation at BNPB on 13 October 2026. The KPK\narrested 14 people, including Secretary-General Rustian and several\nprivate-sector individuals.<\/p>\n
Rustian, however, was not named as a suspect in the alleged\ncorruption case involving the procurement of goods and services, which\nwas reportedly funded from a ready-to-use budget for disaster\nresponse.<\/p>\n
On 14 October 2026, the KPK named five people as suspects in the\ncase. One was Bima Setiawan, the younger brother and an expert staff\nmember of former BNPB chief Lt Gen Suharyanto.<\/p>\n
Information gathered indicates that the four other suspects are\nGabriel Purwaka Sigit, head of BNPB\u2019s Subdirectorate for the Management\nof Assistance and Emergency Funds; BNPB chief\u2019s expert staff member\nRichard Erlangga; and private-sector individuals Syifa Nrika Ghifarin\nand Gery Prasetiawan.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bnpb-chief-hands-ott-case-over-to-law-enforcement-1792068807", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }