Following Inspection of Luxury Cells in Cibinong Prison, DPR Warns Ombudsman: Beware of Black Magic
Zulkifli Anwar, a member of Commission II of the DPR RI from the Democratic Party faction, has reminded the ranks of the Indonesian Ombudsman to protect themselves following several actions taken at the Cibinong Prison in West Java, which have garnered both support and backlash from various parties.
Zulkifli conveyed this message while responding to the steps taken by the Ombudsman in recent days. He expressed his appreciation for the Ombudsman’s performance as a public service oversight institution.
“I am the first to express my appreciation for what the Ombudsman has done a few days ago,” said Zulkifli during a meeting with the Ombudsman, as reported on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
As a partner to the Indonesian Ombudsman, Commission II of the DPR has only one message for the Ombudsman’s staff: to look after their own safety.
“As a partner, let us say as a senior, I have only one message: look after yourselves,” he stated.
According to Zulkifli, the Ombudsman’s actions have received diverse responses from the public. While some parties have offered support, others are said to be dissatisfied or unaccepting.
“Because of what was done yesterday, many support it, but many others do not accept it or are dissatisfied,” he said.
Therefore, Zulkifli once again reminded the Ombudsman’s staff to be cautious in performing their duties.
“So personally, I do not have much else to say; just look after yourselves. Do not let yourselves be hit by ‘santet’ (black magic). That is all,” Zulkifli remarked.
He made the statement as a form of reminder to the Ombudsman. Zulkifli then asked the attendees to express their agreement with his message.
“I am only reminding you. If you do not believe me, let us prove it. Do you agree?” he asked.
It is reported that five structural officials at the Cibinong Prison have been suspended after the Indonesian Ombudsman discovered several buildings with facilities resembling private residences in the area behind the prison.
Inspector General of the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services, Rudi Setiawan, stated that the five officials were suspended to undergo investigations regarding the findings.
“We have suspended five structural officials who are suspected to be responsible for the events discovered by the Ombudsman,” he said on Saturday, 26 September 2026.
The five suspended officials include the Head of the Prison (Kalapas), the Head of the Prison Security Unit (KPLP), the Head of the Prisoner and Juvenile Development Section (Kasi Binadik), the Head of Security and Order, and the Head of General Affairs.