Search for Empty Shops in Cipete, Evidence of Rp540 Billion Corruption Case Continues to Increase

Head of Public Relations of the Metro Jaya Police, Kombes Pol Budi Hermanto, when met at Jalan Asem 2, Cipete Selatan, South Jakarta, Friday (10/7/2026). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - An empty shop house (ruko) containing a number of evidence, including a safe, was the target of a search by a joint team of the Police's Kortas Tipidkor and the Polda Metro Jaya's Ditreskrimsus in the Cipete area, Cilandak, South Jakarta, Thursday, July 9 evening.

The search was an expansion of the investigation of three alleged corruption cases that were being investigated and the total evidence seized amounted to IDR 540 billion. In addition, the police examined a number of witnesses from the surrounding environment.

Head of Public Relations of the Metro Jaya Police, Kombes Pol Budi Hermanto, said that when investigators arrived at the location, the shop was empty so the police asked for information from witnesses around the location to complete the investigation process.

"The shop was empty, but it could be seen that there were witnesses from the environment who were present here," said Budi at the location.

However, Budi has not revealed the number or identity of witnesses who have been questioned.

According to him, the presence of witnesses from the environment is also aimed at ensuring that all stages of the search take place in accordance with legal provisions.

"To witness that this search process is valid, the investigators showed the investigation order and search permit from the court," he said as quoted by Antara.

Budi emphasized that the search was an expansion of the investigation conducted by the Police's Tipidkor Court together with the Ditreskrimsus of the Metro Jaya Police regarding three alleged corruption cases.

The three cases include alleged corruption in the procurement of coal for PT PLN (Persero) which is suspected of triggering power supply disruptions (blackouts), alleged irregularities in the management of PT Asabri (Persero), as well as alleged corruption related to the settlement of PT CBS's debt to PT Krakatau Niaga Indonesia (KNI), a subsidiary of PT Krakatau Steel (Persero). Investigators also traced alleged money laundering (TPPU) related to the three cases.

He added that so far investigators have searched 13 locations. The search at the Cipete shop was carried out after investigators received new clues from the results of witness examinations, title of the case, and searches at 12 previous locations.

From the location, the police confiscated a number of evidence in the form of documents, computer devices, and a number of other items. However, investigators are still inventorying all the items secured so that they cannot explain in detail the type of business that operates in the shop or the connection between the evidence and the case being investigated.

"We will continue to provide updates on every investigation activity so that the process runs transparently," said Budi.

Previously, the joint team of Kortas Tipidkor Polri and Ditreskrimsus Polda Metro Jaya had searched 12 locations in Jakarta and West Java. Among them are Kafe De'Clan Signature and Koin Money Changer in the Cipete Raya area, South Jakarta, which is not far from the shop that was searched on Thursday night.

Searches were also carried out in the Perumahan Parahyangan Golf II area, Bogor, West Java. From the De'Clan Signature Cafe and Koin Money Changer, investigators seized cash of around Rp. 67 billion, dozens of documents, and a number of electronic devices suspected of being related to the case.

Meanwhile, from the search at the Parahyangan Golf II Housing, investigators secured 74 kilograms of gold bars, cash of US$ 4.7 million, 14 million Singapore dollars, and Rp 100 million. The total value of the seized evidence is estimated to be around Rp. 476 billion.

All the evidence has now been secured at the Polda Metro Jaya. Until this news was released, investigators were still investigating the construction of the case and had not revealed the parties suspected of being involved in the case.