Graft Suspect Wahyu Setiawan Apologizes to KPU Colleagues

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - General Election Commission (KPU) commissioner Wahyu Setiawan said he will immediately step down from his position after being named a suspect in an alleged bribery case related to seat trade in the House of Representatives (DPR).

"I will resign as a KPU member soon," said Wahyu at the Corruption Eradication Commission or KPK Building on early Friday, January 10.

Wahyu underwent questioning until 01:21 a.m. and was seen leaving the building dressing an orange detainee vest with a black bag.

While walking to a detention car, Wahyu expressed his apologies to all his colleagues at the election body. "I’d like to send my apology to the chairman, members, and secretary-general of the KPU for this case," he said.

Wahyu also apologized to all KPU officials across the country and underlined that what happened to him was purely a personal matter. He then ensured he would respect the ongoing legal process at the anti-graft body. 

The graft busters arrested Wahyu in a series of sting operations on Wednesday, January 8. The poll body commissioner was secured when he was about to leave for Belitung. Wahyu was accused of receiving Rp400 million bribe from a PDIP politician who is South Sumatra 1 legislative candidate, Harun Masiku, to help the latter clinching a DPR seat.

Besides Wahyu Setiawan, the KPK apprehended seven other people on January 8 and 9 in Jakarta, Depok, and Banyumas. At present, four of them have been named graft suspects.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA