Malang Regent Bribery Scandal; KPK Questions 9 Witnesses

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will examine nine bribery and gratuity witnesses for suspects Rendra Kresna, the Malang Regent, and his former success team member Eryk Armando Talla. The witnesses are staff of the Malang Regency Government.

"Investigators are starting to schedule an examination of witnesses in this case," KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said on Friday, October 12.

Among the witnesses are the former Head of Malang Regency Environmental Agency (BLH) Tridiyah M; the BLH secretary Sampurno, BLH's Finance Subdivision chief Dwi July, and BLH treasurer Sophia L.

Read: Kalla Comments on 41 Malang DPRD Members Named as Bribery Suspect 

There are also staff members of the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD) Thory S and M Imron; as well as individuals Riki H, Priyatmoko and Cipto Wiyono.

The witnesses were questioned at the Malang Resort Police.

"We remind the witnesses who were summoned to give truthful, correct information," Febri said.

The KPK named Rendra Kresna as a bribery and gratification suspect for allegedly receiving up to Rp7 billion in rewards. The KPK also named another suspect, Ali Murtopo from the private sector.

The KPK suspects that Rendra received a bribe from Ali amounting to Rp3.45 billion in return for providing educational facilities for the Malang Regency Government Education Office in 2011.

Read: KPK to Quiz 2 Doctors over Sukamiskin Prison Bribery Case

Rendra Kresna is also suspected of receiving gratuities, together with his former campaign team in the 2010 regional head election, Eryk Armando Talla, amounting to Rp3.55 billion.

The alleged method of corruption used is by fixing auctions for the procurement of goods and services.

M Rosseno Aji