TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) is still undecided about replacing the South Sulawesi governor who has been named a suspect in a bribery case with other party cadre, PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto said.

Internally, the party is still shocked to learn a report of the governor being caught red-handed by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), he said on Sunday.

"We haven't thought about it (the replacement) as we are also shocked. We are really shocked as he has so far had good track record," he said.

Hasto said the governor is known not only as an agricultural expert but also a figure who has dedicated himself to the interests of the community particularly farmers,

"So we are very shocked to learn the incident. However, the party is not allowed to intervene in the case legally," he said.

KPK has detained three suspects including South Sulawesi governor identified by his initials as NA in an alleged bribery and gratification case related to the development of infrastructures in the province in the budget year 2020-2021.

"The suspects will be detained for the first 20 days from February 27 to March 18, 2021," KPK Chief Firli Bahuri said in a press conference at the KPK building early Sunday.

The other two suspects are secretary of the South Sulawesi Provincial Public Works Office identified by his initials as ER and building contractor identified by his initials as AS.

NA is believed to have taken a bribe of Rp5.4 billion including Rp2 billion received from AS through ER on February 26, 2021.

In addition, NA from PDIP is also believed to have received bribes from other building contractors including Rp200 million in late 2020, Rp1 billion in mid February 2021. and Rp2.2 billion in early February 2021. Both NA and ER are accused of receiving bribes and AS is accused of bribing NA and ER under Law No. 31/1999 on corruption eradication as amended by Law No. 20/2001.

Read: KPK Detains South Sulawesi Governor on Bribery Charges

ANTARA