House Speaker Puan Maharani Presses Government to Come Clean on Luxury Facilities at Cibinong Prison

Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) RI Puan Maharani has asked the government not to turn a blind eye to the discovery of luxury facilities at Cibinong Class IIA Prison in Bogor Regency. The demand came after the Indonesian Ombudsman (Ombudsman RI) revealed a number of buildings with apartment-grade facilities in the prison area on Wednesday (23/9/2026). Puan stressed that if the facilities are indeed a form of privilege being bought and sold, the government must act firmly and impose sanctions on those responsible.

In an official statement on Thursday (24/9/2026), Puan highlighted the need for an open explanation of the purpose of the facilities. She said the public has the right to know the truth and to ensure that all correctional services operate within the bounds of the law. "If these facilities are indeed used as a form of privilege by certain individuals, especially if the facilities are being bought and sold, then the Government must take firm action accompanied by sanctions for those responsible," she said.

Puan also reminded that prisons are an inseparable part of the state justice system. The principle of equality before the law must be reflected in every treatment of inmates. "Everyone inside must receive equal treatment; there must be no special treatment that has no basis and cannot be accounted for," she said. According to her, the execution of court rulings must not be differentiated by a person's economic capacity, connections, or influence.

Furthermore, the PDI-P politician assessed that this case is not merely an administrative violation but a reflection of structural problems in the governance of correctional institutions. She noted that scandals over privileged facilities in prisons and detention centers have been exposed repeatedly, yet similar practices continue. "This means there are still many gaps in our correctional system," Puan said. She therefore pushed for fundamental reform, from law enforcement and the judicial process to the execution of sentences.

"The people need certainty that the law is applied by the same measure. That certainty must be visible at every stage, from law enforcement and the judicial process to the execution of sentences."
— Puan Maharani, Speaker of the House of Representatives RI

For readers in Indonesia, particularly professionals and investors, this finding highlights broader governance risks. Correctional institutions that should be at the forefront of law enforcement are instead showing indications of corrupt and discriminatory practices. This can erode public trust in the legal system, which ultimately affects the investment climate and social stability. Transparency in prison management is an important indicator for creating a clean and accountable government.

The Cibinong Prison case also raises questions about internal oversight at the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections. Ombudsman RI had previously been asked not to be obstructed during its surprise inspection. A thorough evaluation of facility standards and operating procedures at all prisons is unavoidable. Without systemic improvement, similar incidents could recur in other regions, widening the disparity in treatment of inmates.

Going forward, the public will await concrete steps by the government in following up on this finding. Will there be an overhaul of Cibinong Prison's management, a comprehensive audit of similar facilities across Indonesia, or will it simply be left unaddressed? The answers to these questions will determine the direction of correctional reform and the credibility of law enforcement in the eyes of the public.