KPK Checks Bekasi City Secretary For Alleged Bribery Of Rahmat Effendi

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to investigate allegations of bribery in the procurement of goods and services as well as the auction of positions that ensnared the inactive Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi or Pepen.

This was done by summoning 10 witnesses, one of which was the Regional Secretary (Sekda) of the Bekasi City Government, Reny Hendrawati.

"Examined as a witness to alleged criminal acts of corruption related to the procurement of goods and services as well as the auction of positions at the Bekasi City Government for the suspect RE," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Sector Ali Fikri to reporters, Monday, January 17.

Next, another witness who was also summoned by investigators for questioning was a private person named Intan; Head of the Land Office of the Bekasi City Disperkimtam Heryanto; Sub-district Head of Rawa Lumbu Makhfud Syaifudin; Head of BPBD Nurcholis; Head of Section BP3KB Lisda; and the finance department of PT Hanaveri Sentosa and PT Kota Bintang Rayatri, Sherly.

In addition, other names that were also examined were the official commitment maker (PPK) named Giyarto; Pepen's aide named Andi Kristanto; and one person from the Office of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Tita Listia.

It is not yet known what examination material the KPK will investigate from the 10 witnesses who were presented today or Monday, January 17. However, they are suspected of knowing the alleged bribery received by Pepen and the other suspects.

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 is suspected of receiving billions of rupiah as a commitment fee from the private sector whose land was acquired for a project belonging to the Bekasi City Government and received compensation. However, he called the money a mosque donation code.

In addition to the bribes above, the anti-corruption commission revealed that Pepen also received money related to project management and contract labor at the Bekasi City Government in the amount of Rp. 30 million. The money was given by the Director of PT MAM Energindo, Ali Amril and received by the Secretary of the Investment Office and PTSP Bekasi City, M Bunyamin.

Furthermore, he received some money from employees at the Bekasi City Government in exchange for their position. However, it did not specify how much money the Golkar Party politician received.

However, the money found from the gifts given by the employees was only Rp600 million left when the silent operation was carried out. Allegedly, the money already exists which was used in part to meet its operational needs.