Former Transport Minister Budi Karya Summoned for Questioning in Central Java After Three No-Shows at Jakarta KPK Office
Former Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi (BKS) responded to a summons from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Monday, 9 March 2026. The questioning took place at the BPKP office in Central Java.
BKS’s compliance with the summons was confirmed by his legal representative, Tri Hartanto. The questioning concerned alleged corruption at the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transport.
Tri confirmed that his client had fulfilled the KPK’s summons. Regarding the questioning being conducted in Central Java, Tri stated that his client had appeared in accordance with the invitation issued by the KPK. “We have complied with the summons,” Tri told journalists on Monday, 9 March 2026.
BKS had previously failed to appear for three consecutive KPK questioning sessions for various stated reasons. The examination of Budi Karya was initially scheduled for 18 February, but he did not appear, citing a prior scheduling conflict. He also failed to attend a questioning session on 25 February.
The KPK scheduled a third summons for BKS on Monday, 2 March 2026. He did not attend that session, citing illness.
The legal case at DJKA originated in Central Java. The KPK sought to deepen its understanding of Budi Karya’s knowledge regarding the processes and mechanisms of railway project procurement.
“Today the investigators conducted questioning of Budi Karya Sumadi, the former transport minister who was serving in the ministry at the time the case occurred,” stated a KPK official.
The DJKA case emerged following a raids conducted by the KPK on 11 April 2023 at the Class I Railway Technical Centre for Central Java Region at the Ministry of Transport. The Class I Railway Technical Centre for Central Java Region has since been renamed the Class I Railway Technical Centre Semarang.
The KPK subsequently established 10 suspects who were immediately detained in connection with alleged corruption involving railway construction and maintenance projects across Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi.
As of November 2024, the KPK has established a total of 14 suspects in the case. The KPK has also designated two corporations as suspects in the matter.