After The OTT For Bekasi Mayor By The Corruption Eradication Commission, There Are Allegations Of Efforts To Lead Opinions

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that there was an attempt to sway opinion after they arrested the inactive Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi alias Pepen in a hand arrest operation (OTT) on Wednesday, January 5.

This allegation emerged after Pepen's daughter, Ade Puspitasari, refused to accept that her father was arrested for being entangled in allegations of bribery in the procurement of goods and services and the auction of positions in the Bekasi City Government, West Java. In fact, she suspects that there is a special operation at the KPK to target the party bearing the banyan symbol.

This statement from the Chairman of the Bekasi City Golkar DPD was recorded in a video that went viral on social media. However, at that time, Ade did not specify which party was said to be targeting the party cadres.

"Yellow is being targeted. We all know who is after yellow. But later in 2024, if yellow combines with orange, other colors will die," she said as quoted from the viral video.

Responding to this, Acting Spokesperson for the KPK for Enforcement, Ali Firki, said that there were parties who deliberately tried to lead opinions. He also said that the party had provided counterproductive opinions and was detrimental to society.

"There are still parties who try to lead counterproductive opinions in the law enforcement process that is being carried out by the KPK," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Ali Fikri told reporters, Monday, January 10.

He said this kind of narrative actually contradicts existing legal facts and raises concerns. Because it is not impossible that the public may have received erroneous information regarding the OTT that ensnared Pepen.

Moreover, Ali ensured that the arrests carried out and ensnared Pepen were in accordance with applicable legal principles and norms.

"In carrying out its duties and authorities, the KPK is guided by the principles of legal certainty, openness, accountability, public interest, proportionality, and respect for human rights," he stressed.

"So that it is impossible for the KPK to be selective in carrying out law enforcement to eradicate corruption," Ali added.

It is certain that the KPK will focus on investigating the alleged receipt of bribes related to the procurement of goods and services as well as the auction of positions conducted by Pepen. This step, according to Ali, is also to prove the role of the Golkar Party politician in this case.

"So that later, the Panel of Judges will decide according to their authority and independence, whether the parties referred to in the OTT for the corruption case of goods and services pawnshops and the auction of positions in Bekasi City are proven guilty or not," he said.

A similar statement was also conveyed by the Chairperson of the KPK, Firli Bahuri. He emphasized that the arrest and determination of Pepen as a suspect was not politically charged.

The arrest, continued Firli, was in accordance with the existing evidence. "A person becomes a suspect not because it was determined by the KPK, not an assumption, nor based on opinions or political interests," said Firli.

He ensured that the KPK would not get involved in politics. Moreover, the anti-corruption commission is a state institution within the executive branch that is independent and the implementation of its duties and authorities is not affected by any power.

"Please understand, as referred to in the law, a suspect is someone who, because of his actions and/or circumstances based on sufficient preliminary evidence, should be suspected as a criminal," said the former Deputy for Enforcement of the Corruption Eradication Commission.

As previously reported, the KPK has named Rahmat Effendi or Pepen along with eight other people as suspects in the alleged bribery in the procurement of goods and services as well as the auction of positions in the Bekasi City Government.

Pepen with M. Bunyamin who is the Secretary of the Investment Office and PTSP Bekasi City; Head of Jati Sari Village, Mulyadi alias Bayong; Jatisampurna Sub-district Head, Wahyudin; and the Head of the Bekasi City Housing, Settlement and Land Office, Jumhana Lutfi, were named as bribe recipients.

Meanwhile, the Director of PT MAM Energindo, Ali Amril; private named Lai Bui Min; Director of PT Kota Bintang Rayatri, Suryadi; and the sub-district head of Rawa Lumbu, Makhfud Saifudin, was named the bribe giver.

As recipients of bribes, Pepen and four other people are suspected of violating Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or Article 5 paragraph (1) letter b or Article 13 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) to 1 of the Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, the givers are suspected of violating Article 12 letter a or Article 12 letter b or Article 11 and Article 12 letter f and Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendment On Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph 1 to 1 of the Criminal Code.