Outrage as KPK Arrests BNPB Officials While Floods and Forest Fires Rage

An operation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has been described as deeply ironic. It came as Indonesia was facing a range of natural disasters, including floods, drought and forest and land fires that were still burning in several areas.

Among those detained by the KPK were BNPB Senior Secretary Rustian, a commitment-making official and private-sector parties.

“The KPK team detained 14 people, including the senior secretary, a commitment-making official and other parties, including those from the private sector,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said in Yogyakarta on Tuesday evening, 13 October 2026.

The KPK seized evidence including around Rp1.4 billion in cash, gold bars and precious-metal savings.

Budi said the 14 people were detained on suspicion of involvement in bribery transactions related to procurement at BNPB.

“As well as detaining a number of people, the team also seized evidence in the form of cash and gold. The team’s initial count put the cash at around Rp1.4 billion,” he said.

The operation is understood to relate to the procurement of goods and services, including the use of disaster-response contingency funds.

“This is suspected to be related to the procurement of goods and services within BNPB, including procurement using contingency funds for disaster response,” Budi said.

Asked whether the alleged offence was connected to efforts to tackle forest and land fires or other natural disasters, Budi said details would be provided at a press conference.

“What disaster was the procurement for? We will provide details at the press conference,” the KPK spokesperson said.

Budi added that the KPK was scheduled to hold a case review on Tuesday evening to determine the legal status of those detained.

“A leadership-level case review is scheduled for tonight to determine the legal status of this arrest operation,” he said.