TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) launched Tuesday, January 7, a sting operation or OTT against Sidoarjo Regent Saiful Ilah related to the procurement of goods and services in the region.

The Head of Sidoarjo Capital Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP) Ari Suryono, a private party, and the regent’s aide were also caught red-handed in the operation.

"Yes, KPK has secured a regional head and several other parties in Sidoarjo Regency, East Java, related to the procurement of goods and services," said the anti-graft body’s acting spokesman Ali Fikri on Tuesday, January 7. However, Ali was reluctant to specify the arrest.

Saiful Ilah served as Sidoarjo Regent for the 2010-2015 period as he was endorsed by the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). Backed by PKB only, he was re-elected in the 2016-2021 period.

In response to the arrest, PKB stated it would abide by the legal process. "We respect the legal process carried out by the KPK. We surely regret that it happened with PKB cadres," said the party spokesman Ahmad Iman to Tempo on Tuesday night, January 7.

Iman added that the party would certainly give sanctions if its cadres were proven to be involved in corruption cases. "We will wait for the legal process. We will check first,” he said.

DEWI NURITA