TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following a shocking sting operation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf – who is now a suspect – denies that he was involved in a graft case surrounding the Aceh Provincial Government.

“I never oversaw any project, nor did I manipulate any fee,” said Irwandi after his suspect naming today, July 5.

KPK suspected the Aceh Governor of accepting grafts related to Aceh’s special autonomy fund distribution, which Irwandi also strongly denies, ”I never accepted any money or fees,” he said.

Other than Irwandi, KPK named three other suspects in this case; Bener Meriah Regent Ahmadi, Syaiful Bahri, and Hendri Yuzal from the private industry.

Read: Aceh Governor Arrives at KPK to Answer for Sting Operation Bust

The case came to light since the KPK commenced a sting operation in Aceh on Tuesday night, July 3. The KPK investigators also apprehended five other people apart from the initial four.

The anti-corruption institution also confiscated Rp50 million in cash and a transfer receipt to two bank accounts with the nominal of Rp190 million and Rp173 million.

According to KPK Deputy Chairman Basaria Pandjaitan, the institution suspects that the Rp500 million graft money was an initial 8 percent commitment fee given by Ahmadi upon Irwandi’s request for a total of Rp1.5 billion project fee. The project itself is an infrastructure project funded by Aceh’s 2018 special autonomy funds.

The KPK Deputy Chairman explained that the case is being studied to reveal whether the same pattern normally occurs in Aceh’s government sector. KPK said that Irwandi Yusuf, Syaiful Bahri, and Hendri Yuzal have violated Corruption Law Article 12.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ