Behind the 'Business' of Luxury Living for Corruptors in Cibinong Prison
The revelation of luxury rooms and buildings furnished with high-end amenities within the Class IIA Cibinong Prison indicates a lavish lifestyle for wealthy convicts behind bars. This raises questions regarding the circulation of money within this illicit ‘business’.
Last week, the Cibinong Prison authorities claimed that the luxury buildings inspected by the Ombudsman were intended as Assimilation and Education Facilities (SAE). These structures were described merely as places for inmates to undergo assimilation and learning processes.
Some buildings were also claimed to be official residences for certain prison officials. However, sources familiar with the prison’s inner workings told Republika that these luxury buildings can be occupied by inmates for rental fees amounting to millions of rupiah per day.
“If anyone from the prison wants to use the SAE facilities, such as the container-based houses, the cost is Rp 7 million per day,” said a source who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, speaking to Republika in Jakarta on Tuesday (29/09/2026).
According to the source, even remission entitlements—the reduction of prison sentences—can be purchased. While inmates are entitled to remissions through social activities such as blood donations, not all prisoners are physically capable of donating, particularly those with certain medical histories or the elderly.
Nevertheless, inmates who are ineligible to donate can still obtain remission through the blood donation pathway by paying a fee. The payments for obtaining remission via the blood donation route range from tens to hundreds of millions of rupiah.
“Bro, corrupt inmates, drug convicts, and even wealthy criminal inmates can buy blood donation remissions for prices ranging from Rp 70 million to 200 million,” the source stated. The highest fees, reaching hundreds of millions, have reportedly been paid by elderly corruption convicts.
“Usually, those paying Rp 200 million are those with illnesses who cannot donate. They are directed to ‘provide’ blood. This was reportedly done by Aon (a tin mining corruption inmate) and Pahlevi (former director of PT Timah),” the source added.
Meanwhile, the cost of occupying luxury cells in Cibinong Prison reaches up to Rp 1 billion. A number of convicts involved in corruption and other serious crimes pay these rental fees, which are allegedly distributed as kickbacks to various officials within the prison environment, extending up to the level of the Ministry of Immigration.
Sources informed Republika that several high-profile inmates occupy these luxury cells, including Ferdy Sambo, who received a life sentence; as well as Harvey Moeis, Tamron, and others involved in the tin mining corruption case. Also included are Heru Hidayat, a life-sentence convict in the Jiwasraya and Asabri corruption cases, alongside Teddy Tjokrosaputro. Other corruption convicts, such as Rahmat Effendi (alias Pepen), the former Mayor of Bekasi, West Java, also occupy luxury cells that resemble apartments within the Class IIA prison.
“The rental costs range from Rp 25 million per month up to Rp 1 billion per year,” the source said. There are approximately 13 luxury units located behind the Cibinong Prison. “The proceeds are shared among prison officials and up to the ministry level,” the source concluded.