Not Named as a Suspect, BNPB Secretary-General Rustian Keeps Silent After KPK Questioning

Rustian, Secretary-General of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), remained silent after being questioned at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) headquarters, known as the Red and White Building, in South Jakarta on Wednesday (14 October).

The previous day, a KPK investigation team had conducted a sting operation over alleged corruption within the BNPB.

Rustian, wearing a white shirt, left the KPK building at around 2.50pm local time on Wednesday, according to observations at the scene. He did not respond to journalists’ questions as he left the KPK headquarters.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said Rustian had been questioned intensively after being detained during the sting operation.

“After a decision was made at last night’s case-review meeting to move the investigation into the formal investigation stage, investigators named several parties as suspects,” Budi told reporters.

He did not identify those named as suspects, but said they would be detained.

Those whose legal status remains that of a witness may leave after questioning by the KPK, including Rustian.

“Those whose legal status is still that of a witness may return home,” he said.

The KPK had earlier detained 14 people in a sting operation involving the BNPB in the Greater Jakarta area on Tuesday (13 October). Rustian was among them.

“The KPK team detained 14 people, including the Secretary-General, a commitment-making official (PPK), and other parties, including people from the private sector,” Budi said in Yogyakarta on Tuesday evening.

Along with the individuals, the KPK seized approximately Rp1.4 billion in cash and precious metals.