TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) alleges that Bengkulu Governor Ridwan Mukti had asked for commission payments from the winning bidder of road projects. KPK deputy chief Saut Situmorang said that the case presentation reveals that Governor Ridwan and a businessman had held meetings. “At the meeting, the businessman was asked to pay some fee after winning the bid and working on the project,” Saut said yesterday.

A source told Tempo that the last meeting was held early this month. After the meeting, Governor Ridwan’s wife Lily Martiani Maddari talked with her colleague Rico Dian Sari, the president director of PT Rico Putra Selatan. Despite the KPK labeling Lily a housewife, the 47-year-old women is known as a contractor and chairwomen of Bengkulu Businesswomen’s Association. “Rico forwarded [Lily’s request] to Jhoni,” he said.

Read: House of Representatives Offended by Letter from KPK

The source said that 10 percent was asked from the project worth Rp54 billion—the value of two projects won by PT Statika Mitra Sarana, Jhoni’s company.

The corruption committed by Ridwan Mukti has shocked many. The KPK deputy chief Alexander Marwata said that Governor Ridwan had earlier initiated coordinated efforts with the KPK to tackle graft in his region.

Read also: The Exploitation of the KPK

Bengkulu is one of 10 provinces being monitored by the KPK team. Nine other regions are Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau, Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua and West Papua. The KPK sees that corruption prevention efforts are not easy due to the lack of independent supervision and slow implementation of recommendations.’

Alexander said that the case in Bengkulu shows that the implementation of anti-graft system will not be successful without strong supervision. “Procurement of goods and services via e-procurement even with the most advanced system can still be breached if the actors collude,” he said yesterday. “Regional executives can cooperate with businessmen.”

Governor Ridwan denies involvement in commission payment in two infrastructure projects operated by Jhoni’s company. He claims that he was implicated by his wife’s actions. He has decided to resign from Bengkulu Governor post and Golkar Bengkulu executive board chairmanship. “I have to take responsibility for my wife’s fault,” Ridwan said.

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