Crafting Fictional Events and Utilizing Fake Stamps

Breaking: Jakarta Anti-Corruption Agency Unravels Rp 15 Billion Corruption Case in Provincial Culture Office

The High Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati) in Jakarta has exposed the modus operandi behind an alleged corruption case involving the Jakarta Provincial Culture Office (Disbud), resulting in a state loss of Rp 15 billion. The details were revealed during a press conference held at Kejati Jakarta’s office on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Kejati Jakarta Chief, Patris Yusrian Jaya, disclosed that the suspects systematically embezzled funds from the 2023 regional budget (APBD) by creating a series of fictitious activities that appeared to be carried out officially by Disbud Jakarta. These activities ranged from entirely fabricated events to some that had a partial element of truth.

Staged Activities and Document Manipulation

The suspects, comprising former Disbud Jakarta head Iwan Henry Wardhana (IHW), the head of the Utilization Division (MFM), and event organizer GR-Pro initialed GAR, collaborated to fabricate scenarios. They hired individuals to pose as dancers and took photos on stage, with the photos later being mislabeled as if they showed the completion of certain dance performances that never occurred.

To facilitate their scheme, MFM and GAR produced comprehensive falsified reports, including spurious signatures and stamps. "All were accompanied by expenditure reports or SPJs bearing forged stamps," explained Patris.

Ghost Companies and the Rp 15 Billion Art Performance

Investigations revealed that the suspects had also established several phantom companies, persuading vendors to pretend that these activities had indeed taken place. One notable instance was a fictional arts performance valued at Rp 15 billion, which never materialized.

Currently, only GAR is in custody at Cipinang Detention Center for the next 20 days. Iwan and MFM have not yet been summoned for examination as suspects.

Ongoing Investigation

Kejati Jakarta has issued separate arrest warrants for the three individuals: Iwan (TAP-01/M.1/Fd.1/01/2025), MFM (TAP-02/M.1/Fd.1/01/2025), and GAR (TAP-03/M.1/Fd.1/01/2025), all dated January 2, 2025. Prosecutors plan to examine Iwan and MFM in the coming week to further investigate the case. Kejati Jakarta assured that it will continue to thoroughly probe alleged corruption within the Jakarta Provincial Culture Office.