TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested Muara Enim Regent Ahmad Yani. He was immediately taken to custody after the antigraft body officially named him a bribery suspect related to a road construction project.

Ahmad Yani was taken out of the KPK building last night, September 3. The Democratic Party cadre only smiled and gave no statement to the press.

Meanwhile, KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said Ahmad Yani will be detained at the Central Jakarta District Police's Detention Center.

"He will stay there for the next twenty days," Febri said.

The KPK also arrested two other suspects; Elfin Muhtar, head of road and bridge development who is also the official commitment maker (PPK) at Muara Enim's Office of Public Works and Public Housing, and businessman Robi Okta Fahlevi.

The three men are accused of bribery practices in the road construction project in Muara Enim. Ahmad Yani allegedly asked for a 10-percent commitment fee to prospective contractors. The regent is also suspected of ordering all procurement activities to be carried out through him only.

The KPK believes that the kickback helped Robi bag 16 projects worth Rp130 billion.

Robi is suspected of handing over US$35,000 in bribe money to Elfin. Ahmad Yani is also suspected of having received bribes from other projects worth Rp13.4 billion in total.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI