Former Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi testified remotely in the ongoing corruption trial over DJKA railway projects at Medan District Court, denying allegations of tender rigging and fund collection. This follows KPK's investigation, where he was summoned multiple times earlier in 2026.
The corruption trial involving railway track construction and maintenance projects under the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) at the Ministry of Transportation continued at Medan District Court. Witnesses included Budi Karya Sumadi, testifying via Zoom from Nusantara Capital (IKN) where he serves as a consultant, for defendants Muhlis Hanggani Capah (Commitment Making Official II, Railway Technical Office North Sumatra) and Eddy Kurniawan Winarto (private party).
Budi Karya acknowledged knowing defendant Eddy Kurniawan and Danto, a Ministry of Transportation staffer. However, he firmly rejected claims of directing tender wins or collecting funds. "I never instructed Danto to arrange that, Your Honor. There was no fund collection. I did not direct it. Insyaallah, I am truthful. No orders to collect money," he stated.
Allegations against him stem from earlier mentions in the case, which originated from KPK's 2023 hand-arrest operation and led to over 20 suspects by early 2026.
Direktur Eksekutif of the National Politics Study (KPN) Adib Miftahul urged judicial independence, especially after references to funds for the presidential and North Sumatra gubernatorial elections. "Judges must not hear cases with conflicts of interest, personal, familial, or otherwise," Adib told reporters on April 7, 2026.
