Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that its investigation into alleged corruption in Bank BJB's advertising procurement will continue uninterrupted, despite the ongoing divorce between former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, a witness in the case, and her wife, Golkar Party lawmaker Atalia Praratya.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo emphasized Thursday that legal proceedings and personal matters are separate, and the divorce will not hinder the agency's probe. Budi added that any division of assets arising from the divorce will not obstruct KPK's efforts to trace funds or assets allegedly connected to the case.

"These are two distinct matters and do not affect the investigation into alleged corruption in Bank BJB's advertising procurement, where Mr. Ridwan Kamil is a witness," he said at the KPK headquarters in South Jakarta.

The commission did not rule out summoning Atalia Praratya if investigators deem her testimony necessary to clarify findings or evidence. "Any possibility is open, depending on the needs of the investigation. If her input is required to confirm or clarify previous evidence, she will be called," Budi said.

Ridwan Kamil was questioned as a witness in the case on Dec. 2, at KPK's Merah Putih building in Jakarta. He denied involvement, stating the advertising procurement was a corporate action by the regional state-owned enterprise that occurred without his knowledge during his tenure as governor.

Nevertheless, KPK says it possesses strong evidence indicating Ridwan Kamil's involvement and has conducted searches at his residence, seizing items including a Mercedes-Benz and a Royal Enfield motorcycle. The alleged state losses in the case are estimated at Rp 222 billion ($14 billion).

Meanwhile, Atalia Praratya filed for divorce at the Bandung Religious Court. The first mediation session was held Wednesday, Dec. 17, without either party present, and the next hearing is scheduled for January 21, 2026.

The case comes amid other controversies surrounding Ridwan Kamil. In October, Indonesian police named social media personality Lisa Mariana as a suspect in a defamation case after she falsely claimed to have been impregnated by the former governor. DNA tests later confirmed Ridwan is not the biological father of her child.

Ridwan Kamil, a prominent political figure, previously served as Mayor of Bandung before becoming West Java governor in 2018. He ran in last year's Jakarta gubernatorial election with backing from major parties but lost to Pramono Anung of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/graft-probe-persists-as-divorce-and-defamation-cloud-ridwan-kami