Brief
Indonesia tears down luxury villas at Cibinong prison after scandal
Excavators razed ten upscale inmate villas at Cibinong prison following a September 23 Ombudsman raid that revealed prohibited amenities.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On October 1, 2026, Indonesian officials used an excavator to demolish ten luxury "villas" inside Cibinong Prison in Bogor, West Java, after a probe uncovered amenities such as big‑screen televisions, air‑conditioning, a swimming pool, a gym and a golf simulator.
The villas, discovered during an unannounced Ombudsman inspection on September 23, were separate from the regular prison blocks and contained sofas, large beds, refrigerators, dining tables and bottles of alcohol. Inspectors also found an unlocked gate leading to a bamboo forest, raising concerns about security and the possibility of inmates moving in and out of the area without standard controls.
Before demolition, prison staff removed furnishings, including sofas, beds, refrigerators and televisions, according to AFP. The Ombudsman’s team, led by official Syafrida Rachmawati Rasahan, said they were initially blocked by prison guards from entering the residential area despite presenting official documents. One inmate encountered in the compound confirmed his presence, but authorities have not identified the prisoners who used the facilities.
Cibinong Prison holds more than 1,800 inmates and is among Indonesia’s most overcrowded facilities. The demolition follows earlier suspensions of five prison officials after the September 23 inspection revealed the upscale accommodations.
Key facts
- Ten luxury villas at Cibinong Prison were demolished on Oct. 1, 2026. (gulfnews.com)
- The villas contained TVs, air‑conditioning, a pool, gym and a golf simulator. (gulfnews.com)
- An unlocked gate to a bamboo forest was found, prompting security concerns. (gulfnews.com)
- Ombudsman official Syafrida Rachmawati Rasahan led the inspection that uncovered the villas. (gulfnews.com)
- Cibinong Prison houses over 1,800 inmates and is severely overcrowded. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Indonesia Demolishes Luxury Prison Villas Amid VIP Inmate Scandal”
