Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized a Mercedes-Benz 280 SL formerly owned by the late President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie. The classic coupe was confiscated as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption at Bank Jawa Barat-Banten (BJB).
According to the KPK's investigation, Habibie's eldest son, Ilham Akbar Habibie, inherited the vehicle before its ownership was transferred to former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil.
Ridwan Kamil, who is a central figure in the BJB corruption scandal, has not been officially named a suspect.
When questioned as a witness at the KPK building in Jakarta on Wednesday, Ilham told reporters, "I inherited the car from my father." However, he declined to explain why the vehicle was discovered at Ridwan's residence. "I will provide explanations in due time to avoid speculation," he said.
KPK's Deputy for Enforcement, Asep Guntur Rahayu, noted that the car's documents still list the late president as the owner, which makes it a valuable collector's item.
In March, the anti-graft agency identified five suspects in the case, who are accused of embezzling hundreds of billions of rupiah from BJB's advertisement budget during Ridwan Kamil's term as governor. The suspects include former BJB CEO Yuddy Renaldi, BJB Corporate Secretary Widi Hartono, and three advertising agency executives: Ikin Asikin Dulmanan, Suhendri, and Sophan Jaya Kusuma. Following the start of the investigation, Yuddy resigned from his position.
The KPK estimates that the alleged misappropriation resulted in state losses amounting to Rp 222 billion (approximately $13.5 million).
As part of the probe, KPK officials have searched Ridwan Kamil's private residence in Bandung, seizing documents and various assets.
Investigators have conducted searches at 12 locations and frozen Rp 70 billion in a bank account, though the account holder has not been disclosed. The agency has also seized buildings, land, and several other vehicles belonging to the suspects.
The seizure of Habibie's Mercedes has fueled speculation that Ridwan Kamil may have purchased the car from Ilham using misappropriated funds from BJB.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/habibies-mercedes-seized-in-bjb-graft-prob