KPK Names Muara Enim Regent Suspect in PUPR Project Graft Case

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named three suspects in the bribery case of projects in the Public Works and Housing Agency of Muara Enim regency, South Sumatra.

The three suspects are Muara Enim Regent Ahmad Yani, the agency’s head of road construction and commitment maker (PPK) Elfin Muhtar, and a private party Robi Okta Pahlevi.

Robi is the owner of PT Enra Sari, a contractor that won the project contract of road construction in Muara Enim for 2019 budget year. Ahmad Yani and Elfin Muhtar have allegedly received the bribe from Robi.

“The status is raised to an investigation, and ROF, AYN, and EM are named suspects,” said the anti-graft body’s deputy head Basaria Panjaitan in his office, Tuesday, September 3.

Previously, the KPK arrested Elfin and Robi in a sting operation in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Monday afternoon, September 2. The two were apprehended in a restaurant after a transaction of US$35,000 between Robi and Elfin. Ahmad Yani then was arrested in his office.

Basaria explained the bribe is allegedly a 10-percent commitment fee from Robi for his project, which comprised of 16 packages valued Rp130 billion.

KPK also suspected the regent of receiving bribes from previous projects, and he has pocketed Rp13.4 billion in total.

Ahmad Yani and Elfin Muhtar are charged with Article 12a or b or Article 11 of Law No. 31/1999 in conjunction with Law No. 20/2001 on corruption eradication, while Robi with Article 5(1a or b) or Article 13 of the same law.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI