TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested the South Bengkulu Regent Dirwan Mahmud. He was arrested after being examined at the KPK building, Jakarta.

“Arrested for the next 20 days,” said KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah, Wednesday, May 16.

KPK previously set Dirwan as a bribe recipient of Rp98 million in a number of projects in the district in the 2018 fiscal year.

The money is allegedly part of the 15 percent of negotiated commitment reward as a quota of regent for the construction of five projects consisting of roads and bridges with direct appointment mechanisms. The total budget amounts to Rp750 million.

KPK also set Dirwan’s wife, Hendrati and his niece, Nursilawati as the suspects of bribery recipient. Hendrati and Nursilawati are thought to play a role as the recipient and channeling the bribe. While the briber is Juhari, a contractor.

Febri said KPK arrested Dirwan and Juhari in the First Class Detention Unit KPK branch. While Hendrati and Nursilawati were arrested at South Jakarta Resort Police.

The disclosure of the case originated from KPK's hand-catch operation at the house of the South Bengkulu Regent, Dirwan, in Manna Sub-district, on Tuesday, May 15.

In the operation, KPK arrested four people with evidence of Rp85 million cash and Rp15 million transfer receipt.

M ROSSENO AJI