TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspected that Nurdin Abdullah committed corruption in order to settle debts used to finance his campaign.

The anti-graft Deputy Chairman, Alexander Marwata, said that Nurdin was allegedly seeking sponsorship of local entrepreneurs. As a result, he had an obligation to pay the debt by granting project permits to his partners or the campaign team.

“Perhaps so, everything will be investigated,” said Alex on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.

The KPK is exploring the flow of graft money, including the possibility of the money being sent to political parties.

“It is still being examined. Thus far, the money was received from the project implementation, and it has not been further explored where the money went,” he added.

The KPK arrested Nurdin in a sting operation on Friday, February 26. He allegedly received Rp2 billion via his subordinates from the Director of PT Agung Perdana Bulukumba, Agung Sucipto. KPK also suspected Nurdin to have received Rp3.4 billion from other contractors, totaling Rp5.4 billion graft money.

Nurdin Abdullah was the elected Governor of South Sulawesi in the 2018 Gubernatorial Election or Pilgub. He was endorsed by PSI, PDIP, PKS, and PAN. Nurdin denied the allegations, asserting that it was the act of his subordinates.

Read: Graft Suspect Asked to Return Anti-corruption Award Following Arrest

M ROSSENO AJI