KPK chairman Setyo Budiyanto said some disaster response funds may have been misused for personal gain.
Cover image via Kompas & Berita Harian
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Indonesia's anti-graft agency has arrested five people, including the younger brother of the country's disaster management chief, over suspected corruption involving emergency relief funds
According to The Straits Times, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detained the suspects on Wednesday, 14 October, following raids in Jakarta and surrounding areas a day earlier.
The investigation centres on suspected irregularities in the National Disaster Mitigation Agency's (BNPB) procurement of goods and services, including alleged collusion between agency officials and private companies.
KPK chairman Setyo Budiyanto said some emergency relief funds may have been misused for personal gain.
"There are indications of arrangements being made, particularly over the disbursement and use of funds, some of which were misused by certain individuals for personal gain," he told reporters.
The funds under investigation include BNPB's ready-to-use emergency funds, known locally as dana siap pakai, which cover urgent disaster-related needs such as essential supplies and services. The agency was reportedly allocated 4.62 trillion rupiah (approximately RM1.05 billion) for these funds in 2026.
The KPK did not confirm whether any funds intended to tackle the ongoing forest fires and haze were involved.
Setyo said Bima Setyawan allegedly served as an expert staff member to his brother, BNPB chief Suharyanto
The other suspects are Gabriel Purwaka Sigit, a BNPB official responsible for procurement commitments; Richard Erlangga, another expert staff member; and two private-sector representatives, Gery Prasetiawan and Syifa Nrika Ghifarian.
Setyo said Suharyanto was not named as a suspect.
He added that the suspected irregularities may have occurred over the past three or four years, and that the KPK has yet to establish the total amount allegedly misappropriated.
During the raids, investigators also seized about 3.3 billion rupiah (approximately RM747,000) in cash, along with hundreds of grams of gold and cryptocurrency.
Gabriel Purwaka Sigit (left) and Bima Setyawan (right) in prison vests after undergoing examination at the KPK headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday, 14 October.
Image via KompasThe arrests come as Indonesia battles widespread forest and peatland fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, with smoke spreading to neighbouring countries, including Singapore and Malaysia
The government has reportedly deployed about 70,000 personnel from BNPB, the military, the police, and other agencies to help contain the fires.
The allegations have also prompted lawmakers to call for greater scrutiny of disaster relief spending.
The KPK said it has not ruled out expanding its investigation if further evidence emerges or other individuals are implicated.
A day after the arrests, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto appointed Lieutenant-General Kristomei Sianturi, a two-star army general, to replace Suharyanto as BNPB chief
The Straits Times reported that no official reason for the leadership change was given.
After his appointment, Kristomei pledged to act swiftly to tackle the forest fires and review the agency's operations.
"The target is as soon as possible. We must not allow people to continue suffering the consequences. We are counting minutes, not hours," he told reporters.
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