Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) addresses the state bribing state phenomenon in a corruption case involving rogue Depok District Court judges and PT Karabha Digdaya employees. The sting operation occurred on February 5, 2026, in Depok, West Java, related to land dispute handling. KPK emphasizes focus on malicious intent and agreements among the perpetrators.
On February 5, 2026, Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation (OTT) in Depok City, West Java, related to alleged corruption in handling a 6,500 square meter land dispute case in Tapos Subdistrict. The case stemmed from PT Karabha Digdaya (KD), a Ministry of Finance subsidiary, seeking expedited land eviction execution after winning the dispute against locals based on a 2023 Depok District Court ruling, upheld on appeal and cassation.
On February 6, 2026, KPK revealed the OTT arrested seven individuals, including Depok District Court Chief Judge I Wayan Eka Mariarta (EKA), Deputy Chief Bambang Setyawan (BBG), one PN Depok staff member, KD President Director Trisnadi Yulrisman (TRI), and three other KD employees. KPK named five as suspects: EKA, BBG, PN Depok Bailiff Yohansyah Maruanaya (YOH), TRI, and KD Head of Corporate Legal Berliana Tri Kusuma (BER). They are suspected of receiving or promising bribes to accelerate land execution for KD's business interests.
Addressing the 'state bribing state' phenomenon where Ministry of Finance subsidiary officials bribed rogue Depok District Court judges, Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu stated on February 9, 2026, at KPK's Merah Putih Building in Jakarta: “We see it in the context of their interests. There's a meeting of minds there.” He explained communication occurred between KD and PN Depok rogue elements due to the desire for quick execution for business, with PN Depok authorized to issue it.
Asep emphasized KPK focuses solely on malicious intent or mens rea accumulated in the agreement, regardless of the entities' state status. “We don't look at whether one is a BUMN, a ministry subsidiary... But we look at the malicious intent accumulated in that meeting of minds,” he said.
This case highlights corruption risks among state officials, though KPK notes judge salary increases are expected to reduce risks but depend on individuals, as stated by KPK Vice Chairman Ibnu Basuki Widodo.
