Ridwan Kamil Has Not Been Paid, Ilham Habibie Admits Mercedes Benz 280 SL His Father Has Been Changed Color

Mercedes Benz 280 SL confiscated by the KPK related to the BJB/DOK PHOTO corruption case: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The son of the 3rd President of the Republic of Indonesia B. J. Habibie, Ilham Akbar Habibie said Ridwan Kamil had changed the color of his father's Mercedes Benz 280 SL.

In fact, the former Governor of West Java has not paid off the purchase of a car worth Rp. 2.6 billion and has only paid Rp. 1.3 billion.

This was conveyed by President Habibie's son, Ilham Akbar Habibie, who was questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday, September 3. He was questioned by investigators as a witness in a corruption case in the procurement of advertisements at PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat and Banten Tbk or Bank BJB (BJBR).

"(The Mercedes Benz car, red) is in Bandung. In the workshop. Because at the time it was used by Mr. RK, he was beautiful in what year it was a change of color. Frankly, without our knowledge," Ilham told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

Ilham explained that Ridwan Kamil bought the classic car in 2021. Because it had not been paid off, he then invited Ridwan Kamil to his house to ask about the follow-up payment.

The meeting, continued Ilham, was attended by several people as witnesses.

"I declare, if this is not paid off in the near future then I will withdraw it back and he agrees. It will not be paid either, we want to withdraw it," he explained.

The former deputy governor candidate for West Java in the 2024 Pilkada is actually ready to return the money when buying. However, the Golkar Party politician has not yet paid the cost of restoring or changing the color of the car.

Because of this, the workshop refused to remove the classic car. Ilham said the Mercedes Benz 280 SL was previously silver and was painted metallic blue.

"The workshop doesn't want to be given, because he hasn't been paid either. Well, after that, yes, not long after, it was already, (sita, red) the KPK. We don't know anything about the KPK because this is none of our business. Yes, that's more or less," he said.

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.