TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named 10 members of the Muara Enim Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) for the period of 2019-2023 as suspects. They were suspected of receiving bribes related to projects in the regency.

“KPK is conducting an investigation and raising its status in September 2021,” said KPK Deputy Chairman Alexander Marwata at his office, Jakarta, Thursday, September 30.

The ten suspects are Indra Gani, Isaac Joharsah, Ari Yoca Setiadi, Ahmad Reo Kusuma, Marsito, Mardiansyah, Muhardi, Fitrianzah, Subhan, and Piardi.

The anti-graft body explained that to get a project at the Muara Enim’s Public Works and Housing Agency in 2019, businessmen Robi Okta Fahlevi and Elfin MZ Muhtar met Ahmad Yani, who was the regent at that time. The latter demanded them to coordinate with Elfin and set a commitment fee at 10 percent of the project value for the regency officials including the councilors.

In 2019, Robi received a project value of Rp129 billion. Of the figure, he transferred Rp1.8 billion to Ahmad Yani and the board members totaling Rp5-6 billion or Rp50 million to Rp500 million each.

KPK suspected that the bribe money was used by the DPRD members for the campaign of the Muara Enim Legislative Election. Following the suspect naming, KPK detained the suspects in three locations, namely the KPK detention centers in Merah Putih Building and in Lot C1, and the detention center at the Jakarta Military Police (Pomdam Jaya) Guntur Jaya.

Read: KPK Still Examining Alleged State Losses from Covid-19 Aid Graft Case

M ROSSENO AJI