Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed Thursday that its detention facilities have exceeded capacity following a string of high-profile sting operations this year, forcing the agency to repurpose isolation rooms to house graft suspects.

"The ideal capacity for KPK's detention facilities is 51 people. At present, there are 57 detainees," KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said in a statement.

Budi said six detainees were being held in isolation rooms to ensure ongoing legal proceedings were not disrupted. He stressed that the agency continues to uphold detainees' basic rights despite the overcrowding.

"We ensure management remains in line with established standards and that the fundamental rights of detainees are protected," he said, adding that detainees still have access to exercise areas and medical services.

The surge in detainee numbers comes from a series of sting operations (OTT), carried out by the anti-graft body in 2025. The KPK has launched five such operations this year alone.

The most recent, on Aug. 20-21, led to the arrest of former Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer, also known as Noel, and 10 others over alleged extortion in the issuance of occupational safety and health certificates. All 11 have been named suspects.

Earlier in August, the KPK detained three people in a bribery case linked to a state-owned enterprise. On Aug. 7-8, another operation in Jakarta, Kendari, and Makassar uncovered suspected corruption in the construction of a regional hospital in Southeast Sulawesi, resulting in five arrests.

In June, five suspects were detained in connection with a road project corruption case in North Sumatra, while in March, six individuals, including local legislators and public works officials in South Sumatra's Ogan Komering Ulu district, were arrested in a similar operation.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/kpk-runs-out-of-jail-space-as-corruption-arrests-pile-u