TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) of North Jakarta, Mochammad Dimyati, said investigation on the alleged money politics committed by Gerindra Jakarta chairman M. Taufik was still afoot. The team is in the process of examining evidence from the public report.

“We’re still clarifying [the issue],” said Dimyati when contacted on Thursday, April 18.

Previous reported suggested, North Jakarta Resort Police arrested Taufik’s subordinate named Charles Lubis for allegedly practicing money politics and seized 80 white envelopes contained Rp500,000 each.

Charles was brought to the police before the M. Taufik Center (MTC), a residence of the Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) deputy chairman, in Warakas, North Jakarta, on Monday, April 15. Taufik claimed the cash would be used as an honorarium for election witnesses.

Dimyati stopped short of detailing the reason for North Jakarta Bawaslu’s Integrated Law Enforcement (Gakkumdu) escorting Charles to the police. Tempo’s call was suddenly disconnected and Dimyati only read Tempo’s chat on Whatsapp.

Bawaslu Jakarta commissioner Puadi said Gakkumdu must have looked for evidence to back up the report and considered the arrest was not referred to procedures in handling alleged election violation.

“So he [Charles] shouldn’t be taken to North Jakarta police for clarification, that’s not right,” said Puadi on Thursday, April 18. “Because this is a violation against the election rule, not a general crime,” he noted.

LANI DIANA