6 "Sultan Cells" Cases from Behind Bars, from Air-Conditioned Rooms to Arowana Aquariums

The practice of extortion within correctional institutions (Lapas) has once again come under sharp scrutiny. Allegations of buying and selling special facilities and rooms for wealthy inmates appear to be a “chronic disease” that is difficult to eradicate. The latest case of illegal levies (pungli) was uncovered at the Class IIB Blitar Penitentiary, adding to the long list of “Sultan Cell” scandals in Indonesia. This is not the first case, and hopefully the last, with the Blitar incident spotlighting unusual facilities for corruptors through a levy of Rp 180 million for three individuals. The case was revealed after three corruption detainees reported to the Head of Blitar Penitentiary on Wednesday (22/4/2026). The three alleged involved prison officers are initialled RJ and W as security officers, and ADK as the head of prison security. The cell is not luxurious, but allows for extended time from the original closing at 4:00 PM WIB to 6:00 PM WIB. Its occupants can also attend worship until late at night in the prison mosque. Additionally, the D1 room houses around 15 people, fewer than other cells which hold 20–25 individuals. Stories of “sultan prisons” are not new in correctional institutions. Years ago, prisons with luxurious facilities were also uncovered. Not just about opening hours as in Blitar, but various luxurious amenities including karaoke rooms. Here are several “sultan prison” cases that have been uncovered in Indonesia. This case was revealed on 10 January 2010. Members of the Task Force for Eradicating Legal Mafia, led by Denny Indrayana, conducted a surprise inspection (sidak) at the Class II A Pondok Bambu State Detention Centre, East Jakarta. Among them was the cell of convict Ayin and Limarita alias Aling, who were sentenced to life imprisonment in a drug case. Ayin’s room was in Block Anggrek Number 19. She lived with her personal assistant, Asmiyati, who was a convict sentenced to two years and six months in prison. Meanwhile, in the prison room of Limarita alias Aling, there was a special room measuring 3 x 3 metres equipped with a 20-inch flat-screen television, and the room’s walls had been decorated with leaf and flower motifs. A luxurious work desk was also not overlooked. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) on 31 May 2017 discovered a luxurious cell room occupied by an inmate at the Cipinang Penitentiary, East Jakarta, Haryanto Chandra alias Gombak. In that cell, BNN officers found several items such as one laptop or portable computer, one iPad, four mobile phones, and one token, as well as air conditioning facilities and CCTV to monitor everyone who comes. “In that search, the cell room situation was seen to be unlike a typical cell room. The room had AC, CCTV that could monitor everyone who comes, WiFi, an arowana fish aquarium, and special food menus,” stated retired Police Commissioner General Budi Waseso, who was then Head of BNN. In September 2013, the executed drug lord Freddy Budiman also caused a stir. Although living in a cell room at Cipinang Penitentiary, he still controlled drug trafficking. He had a room known as the ‘love shack’.