KPK Duga Ridwan Kamil Buy Mercedes Benz 280 SL BJ Habibie Using Bank BJB Advertising Corruption Money

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil bought the Mercedes Benz 280 SL belonging to the 3rd President of the Republic of Indonesia B. J. Habibie used the money from corruption in the procurement of advertisements at PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat and Banten Tbk or Bank BJB (BJBR).

This was conveyed by KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo after investigators examined the son of the 3rd President of the Republic of Indonesia B. J. Habibie, Ilham Akbar Habibie on Wednesday, September 3. He underwent examination at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

"Investigators are investigating the sale of his assets to RK's brother, whose alleged purchases came from the results of this alleged corruption crime," Budi told reporters in a written statement.

"Investigators have also confiscated it for the evidentiary process," he said.

Meanwhile, Ilham Habibie, after being questioned, admitted that he did not know anything about the origin of the money Ridwan Kamil used when he bought his father's Mercedes Benz 280 SL collection. He only served as a seller even though the money went straight to the mechanical team in charge of taking care of the car.

Ridwan Kamil said he bought the Mercy Pagoda for Rp. 2.6 billion but only Rp. 1.3 billion was paid.

"That's what I don't know, it's on the side, who knows it's the KPK, we're just sellers," said Ilham at the KPK's Merah Putih building, South Jakarta.

"If we sell goods, we don't ask where the money comes from, it's impossible," he continued.

The KPK has confiscated a number of vehicles allegedly owned by former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil. One of them is the Mercedes Benz 280 SL which is said to be in a workshop to be restored.

The vehicle was confiscated for allegedly related to a non-budgeter fund of Bank BJB managed by the corporate secretary (corsec) section.

This non-budgeter fund is money obtained from the difference in paying for the procurement of advertisements by Bank BJB. The agency's company is suspected of returning the money through the corsec division.

Previously reported, the KPK has named five suspects in connection with allegations of corruption in the procurement of advertisements at PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat and Banten Tbk or Bank BJB (BJBR).

They are former President Director of Bank BJB Yuddy Renaldi; Head of Bank BJB Corporate Secretary Division Widi Hartoto; Agency Controller Antedja Muliatama and Cakrawala Kreasi Mandiri Kin Asikin Dulmanan; Agency Controller BSC Advertising and PT Wahana Semesta Bandung Ekspres (WSBE) Suhendrik; and Controller of PT Cipta Karya Sukses Bersama (CKSB) and PT Cipta Karya Mandiri Bersama (CKMB) Raden Sophan Jaya Kusuma.

This case investigation warrant (sprindik) was issued on February 27, 2025. The actions of the five suspects are suspected of having caused the state to lose up to Rp22 billion.

Currently, the detention has not been carried out on five suspects. However, they have been prevented from traveling abroad for six months and can be extended according to the needs of the investigation.