JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) brought 14 people in for questioning on Tuesday, Oct. 13, during an operation targeting suspected corruption in the procurement process of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

Those questioned included BNPB Principal Secretary Rustian, a commitment-making official, agency employees or advisers and private-sector representatives. KPK officers conducted the operation at several locations across Greater Jakarta before taking the group to the commission’s headquarters.

“In this operation, the KPK secured 14 people, including the principal secretary,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said, according to Antara.

Budi said investigators were examining procurement contracts within BNPB, including spending financed through disaster-ready funds (DSP).

“The case is suspected to be related to the procurement of goods and services within BNPB, including procurement using disaster-ready funds,” he said. The KPK had not disclosed which contracts or disaster-response programs were under investigation.

Investigators also recovered approximately Rp1.4 billion (US$84,000) in cash based on an initial count. They seized gold bars and gold savings whose combined value remained under assessment.

“The team also secured evidence in the form of cash and precious-metal gold,” Budi said. “For the cash, the team’s initial count was around Rp1.4 billion.”

Disaster-ready funds allow BNPB to finance urgent response measures during emergencies. Government regulations permit their use for immediate needs such as rescue operations, evacuation, health services and temporary shelter.

Despite the need for rapid disbursement, the funds remain subject to administrative controls and accountability requirements under BNPB Regulation No. 4/2020.

BNPB head Lt. Gen. Suharyanto initially said he had not received information about the operation. “I don’t know yet. We will check first,” he said when contacted.

The agency later issued an institutional response through Acting Disaster Data and Communications Head Berton SP Panjaitan.

“BNPB fully respects the legal process and procedures being carried out by the KPK,” Berton said. “BNPB upholds the presumption of innocence.”

The agency pledged to provide investigators with requested documents and access to information. BNPB also ordered its inspectorate to conduct an internal review and secure relevant records while keeping disaster-response services operational.

In a separate event on Tuesday, Suharyanto swore in nine BNPB officials at the agency’s Jakarta headquarters. They included Agus Hardja Santana as chief inspector and Ahmad Abdulghoni as head of procurement.

Agus’ appointment rested on a presidential decision dated Sept. 23, weeks before the KPK operation. No evidence has emerged connecting the appointments to the investigation.

During the ceremony, Suharyanto instructed the officials to uphold “propriety, transparency and accountability,” particularly in procurement and asset management, according to the BNPB official.

As of publication on Wednesday, the KPK had not publicly announced the legal status of those questioned. Under Indonesian procedure, the commission must determine their status within 24 hours of an arrest operation. Until that decision is announced, none of the 14 should be described as a suspect.