Politics · Indonesia · 3 hrs ago
Luxury housing scandal leads to discipline at Indonesia’s Cibinong Prison
Indonesia disciplined 17 guards and dismissed Cibinong Prison’s warden after unauthorized luxury housing was found inside the facility near Jakarta.
The housing included apartment-style units with refrigerators, sofas and private living areas, and a gym was reportedly under construction.
The buildings were not authorized or registered as state assets, and officials said inmates had paid to build and furnish them.
The identities of the inmates who used the houses remain unclear; former police official Ferdy Sambo is among the names mentioned, but his use of the housing has not been established.
Authorities demolished 10 unauthorized buildings and are investigating whether inmates received special treatment in exchange for money or favors.
The case has renewed concern about unequal treatment in prisons, where wealth and influence can bring advantages while poorer prisoners may rely on family money for basic needs.
Similar allegations have arisen in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, and calls have grown for independent prison inspections.
Indonesia dismissed the warden of Cibinong Prison and disciplined 17 guards over unauthorized luxury housing inside the prison complex.
The buildings included apartment-style units and were discovered during a surprise inspection by the Ombudsman.
Authorities demolished 10 unauthorized buildings, while the inmates who occupied them have not been identified.
An investigation was prompted by questions about whether inmates paid for preferential treatment.
The case has renewed attention to inequality and corruption within prison systems in Southeast Asia.
- Who
- Cibinong Prison’s warden and 17 guards faced disciplinary action.
- What
- Officials were disciplined after luxury housing was built without authorization inside the prison complex.
- When
- The disciplinary action was announced on October 5, 2026.
- Where
- Cibinong Prison, in Bogor Regency, West Java, Indonesia.
- Why
- The guards were accused of abusing their authority by allowing unauthorized housing to be built.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Indonesia's Ombudsman found luxury facilities during a surprise inspection at Cibinong Prison.
The prison warden was dismissed and disciplinary action was announced against guards.
Tempo reporters interviewed Inspector-General Rudi Setiawan by phone.
- Disciplinary action
- 17 guards
- Warden
- Wisnu Hani Putranto
- Dismissal date
- October 5, 2026
- Demolished buildings
- 10 unauthorized buildings
- Location
- Cibinong, Bogor Regency, West Java, Indonesia
2 sources
What people are saying
Based on statements from the people we questioned, the houses were built at the inmates’ own expense.
Just like in the outside world, money and influence act as capital within the prison system.
When decisions are made behind closed doors, with limited transparency about who receives what and why, there are opportunities for personal connections and financial resources to influence treatment.