Asked About BNPB Disaster Fund Corruption Case, Yusril Raises Human Rights

Jakarta (VIVA) — Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the government respects the legal process being carried out by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in an alleged corruption case involving ready-to-use funds at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

Yusril made the remarks when asked by reporters about the case, and also referred to human rights (HAM). He said the government did not wish to pass judgement on the matter because it must respect the presumption of innocence.

“The government does not want to make any assessment because it is obliged to respect the presumption of innocence, which is part of universal human rights,” Yusril said, as quoted on Sunday (18 October 2026).

He added that the presumption of innocence is provided for in Law No. 39/1999 on Human Rights, Law No. 48/2009 on Judicial Powers, and Indonesia’s Criminal Procedure Code.

According to Yusril, whether a person who has been named a suspect or defendant is guilty must be determined by a court ruling that has permanent legal force.

On the handling of the case, Yusril said the government supports and respects the independence of law enforcement agencies. He stressed that the government does not intend to influence or intervene in the KPK’s duties.

“The government leaves it to the KPK and gives it the fullest opportunity to carry out its duties in investigating, conducting inquiries and prosecutions in alleged corruption cases,” he said.

The KPK earlier conducted a sting operation at BNPB on Tuesday (13 October 2026). The following day, it named five people as suspects in the case.

The five suspects are Bima Setiawan, an expert to the BNPB chief; Gabriel Purwaka Sigit, a commitment-making official and head of BNPB’s Subdirectorate for the Management of Emergency Aid and Funds; Richard Erlangga, an expert to the BNPB chief; Gery Prasetiawan, director of PT Trans Lintas Selaras; and private-sector individual Syifa Nrika Ghifarin.