JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) seized rupiah and foreign currency stored in about 20 suitcases and cardboard containers. This occurred during an operation linked to processing building rights in Bogor regency.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said investigators were still counting and verifying the cash on Tuesday, September 15.

He estimated its combined value could reach hundreds of billions of rupiah. However, he stressed that investigators had not yet determined the final amount.

“The team secured evidence in the form of cash in rupiah and foreign currencies, which was wrapped or stored in boxes, cardboard containers and suitcases numbering around 20,” Budi said.

“The counting process is still underway, but the estimated value reaches hundreds of billions of rupiah,” he added.

Investigators seized the cash during a sting operation conducted across Greater Jakarta on Monday.

The KPK took 17 people into custody for questioning. Among those detained were senior officials from the Agrarian and Spatial Planning Ministry/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN). Investigators also questioned representatives of publicly listed property developer PT Summarecon Agung.

“The OTT [sting operation] is suspected to be related to the processing of HGB in Bogor regency. It may also be related to other suspected payments,” Budi said.

Those questioned included Land and Spatial Control and Enforcement Director General Lampri. They also included Bogor Land Office head Sontang Coin Manurung and Tangerang Land Office head Tardi.

Investigators also detained Summarecon President Director Adrianto Pitojo Adi, Golkar politician Fahd A. Rafiq and former Kebumen regent Arif Sugiyanto.

The KPK had not explained each person’s alleged role when this article was prepared.

It was conducting an internal case review to determine the alleged sequence of events. As a result, it will decide who, if anyone, should face formal charges.

“We will provide details of the case structure and the chronology of the OTT [sting operation] in our next update,” Budi said.

Several reports citing an unnamed internal source made further claims about where investigators found the cash. These reports also detailed who allegedly owned it.

The KPK had not publicly confirmed those claims or linked ATR/BPN Minister Nusron Wahid to the seized money. The public should therefore not treat those claims as facts.

An ATR/BPN public relations representative asked the public to wait for the ministry’s official response. Summarecon had also not released a public statement addressing the operation at the time of publication.

HGB allows Indonesian citizens or locally incorporated legal entities to construct and own buildings on eligible land.

The government can grant such rights on state land or on land under management rights for a maximum period of 30 years. There is also the possibility of extension for 20 years and renewal thereafter, in accordance with BPK Regulation No. 18/2021.

The KPK has not established that every person detained committed a crime. Investigators must trace the cash, examine the HGB approval process and present supporting evidence before a court can determine criminal responsibility.