The KPK Reveals The Reason Mercedes Benz 280 SL Was Returned: There Is Good Faith Until The Car Is Historical

DOC PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said there were a number of reasons that made investigators decide to return Mercedes Benz 280 SL in the name of the 3rd President of the Republic of Indonesia B. J. Habibie to his son, Ilham Akbar Habibie. One of them, the car is historical.

The car was confiscated for alleged corruption in the procurement of advertisements at PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat and Banten Tbk or Bank BJB (BJBR). Ridwan Kamil as the former Governor of West Java bought the Mercedes Benz from Ilham Habibie and allegedly used non-budget funds.

This non-budgeter fund is the difference in paying for the procurement of advertisements for Bank BJB returned by the tender winning company. The management is called the KPK carried out by the corporate secretary (corsec) section.

"Brother IH stated that the vehicle also has historical value, antique vehicles," said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo to reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, September 30.

In addition, Budi also said Ilham Habibie was cooperative by handing over Rp1.3 billion from the sale and purchase process to the KPK. He said the money was the first step in the process of returning assets caused by the corruption case which was also handled as evidence.

Therefore, the KPK agreed to return the car.

"Because brother IH has returned and confiscated, namely Rp1.3 billion, which is a payment made by RK to IH for the purchase of the vehicle," he said.

"Where from the statement of brother IH that the purchase of the vehicle was only made partially," continued Budi.

Meanwhile, Ilham Akbar Habibie admitted that he handed over the money paid by Ridwan Kamil when he bought the Mercedes Benz 280 SL to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"So a few, two weeks ago I handed over the money to the KPK which was in accordance with their request," he said after visiting the KPK office.

Ilham said the handover of the money was so that his father's classic car could be returned after being bought by Ridwan Kamil but was not paid. Ilham agrees that the inspection will run quickly because he was only asked to sign an official report regarding the return of the car. The vehicle in the name of B. J. Habibie is said to be returned this week.

"Furthermore, there is a car return process to our side," he said.

For information, the buying and selling process occurred in 2021 and began when Ridwan Kamil saw the vehicle collected by B.J. Habibie. The Golkar Party politician then bid for Habibie's 280 SL Mercedes Benz and agreed on the selling value of Rp. 2.6 billion.

The sedan was sold by the family because it was to take care of the other collection of B.J. Habibie cars. In addition, there was a similar car so the agreement was made.

In the course of this case, investigators continue to explore where these non-budgeters are flowing. A number of parties have been investigated, including the celebrity Lisa Mariana, who is suspected of having been close to Ridwan Kamil.

Then the KPK has confiscated a number of vehicles allegedly owned by former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil. Including, a Royal Enfield motorbike that is now in the KPK Confiscated Goods Storage House (Rupbasan), Cawang, East Jakarta.

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.