An inspection by Indonesia’s Ombudsman has brought renewed scrutiny to facilities at Cibinong Class IIA Prison in Bogor, West Java, after officers found a group of buildings with amenities resembling private residences.
The findings were made during a surprise inspection on 23 September 2026. Ombudsman officials said they found more than 10 rooms in an area behind the main prison complex. The rooms reportedly contained bedrooms, living areas, kitchens, televisions, refrigerators and cooking equipment.
Ombudsman member Fikri Yasin described the facilities as having an apartment-like standard.
“Good, very good. Apartment standard. Although they are small, everything is there. All the household equipment is there,” Fikri said, as quoted by Warta Ekonomi.
The inspection also found a gym area, a swimming pool, luxury cars and alcoholic drinks. Ombudsman officials said they encountered around six or seven people who were suspected to be prisoners in the area, although their identities and status had not initially been confirmed.
The team also received an account from a person who identified himself as a prisoner and reportedly said payments were made to occupy the special facilities.
The findings prompted questions over who was authorised to use the buildings and how the facilities were being managed. The West Java Regional Directorate General of Corrections initially said the buildings were official residences for prison officers rather than special accommodation for prisoners.
Yudi Suseno, head of the West Java Regional Directorate General of Corrections, said there was no evidence at that stage that prisoners, including former police officer Ferdy Sambo, were using the facilities.
“Until this moment, there is no information or findings from the team that point in that direction. It is actually the official housing area,” Yudi said.
He added that Sambo and other prisoners were housed in the same type of cell as other inmates.
“The same, there is no difference. There is nothing special there. Everything is equal,” Yudi said.
Whisky, Officials and Unregistered Buildings
The Directorate General of Corrections subsequently formed a team to examine the Ombudsman’s findings, including the facilities, administration and security procedures at the prison.
“We have formed a team to examine and verify the facilities, infrastructure, administration, as well as the implementation of service and security standards at Cibinong Prison,” Director General of Corrections Mashudi said. He added that the Ombudsman’s information would be examined objectively.
The issue was later discussed by Commission XIII of the House of Representatives during a hearing on 28 September. Mashudi said an initial investigation had identified the owner of several items found at the site.
“Based on the preliminary examination, the television, household furniture, sofa, spring bed, refrigerator containing three bottles of whisky and one bottle of beer were personal belongings of the Head of Security and Order Section,” Mashudi said.
Mashudi also addressed claims about a possible secret route connecting the area to the outside. He said an inspection had found no such route.
“Regarding the alleged secret route, based on the examination and direct inspection of the location, no secret route was found. The location is surrounded by the Ciliwung River,” he said.
Another point under investigation is the presence of 16 official residences in the area. Thirteen of the buildings had not been recorded in the government’s State Property Management Information and Accounting System, known as SIMAK BMN.
“The 13 official residences located along the Ciliwung River, which have not yet been recorded in SIMAK BMN, are currently undergoing further examination regarding their administration, asset status and utilisation,” Mashudi said.
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Mashudi also explained that a building resembling a container accommodation facility was actually an operational office for a cattle-fattening programme funded through the 2026 state budget. Meanwhile, a photograph of corruption convict Jimmy Masrin found at the site was described as an item previously confiscated during an internal security raid.
The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections has since temporarily removed five structural officials at Cibinong Prison while the investigation continues. The officials include the prison head, head of prison security, head of rehabilitation and education, head of security and order, and head of general affairs.
The Cibinong case has also renewed discussion about similar luxury-cell cases at Indonesian prisons. The Stance reported that previous cases have involved prisoners receiving special facilities or privileges, while legal reform groups have raised concerns about possible payments and abuse of authority within correctional facilities.
