West Java Regional Police Investigates Rp804 Million UMKM Extortion Cases

BANDUNG - The West Java Regional Police's Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) is investigating cases of alleged illegal levies (extortion) which amounted to Rp804 million more than government assistance for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Head of Public Relations of the West Java Regional Police, Kombes Erdi A. Chaniago, said that the cases of alleged extortion were in seven sub-districts in Bandung Regency with the mode that each UMKM recipient of the assistance was asked to share 20 percent to 50 percent of the aid received.

"Recipients of assistance of Rp. 2.4 million per month are asked for between 20 and 50 percent, on the grounds that they are paid to officers who state that there is a deposit to them of around Rp. 600 thousand to Rp. 1.2 million," Erdi said at the West Java Regional Police Headquarters, Kota. Bandung quoted Antara, Monday, February 15.

Kombes Erdi explained the seven sub-districts, namely Cicalengka, Nagreg, Rancabali, Banjaran, Cikancung, Soreang, and Cimaung Districts. The case itself was caught after the West Java Pungli Saber Task Force made the discovery of the alleged extortion.

"After being checked and later found by the Saber Pungli Provincial Task Force, the funds that have been collected are approximately Rp804,900,000," said Erdi.

The details, he said, were as much as Rp. 562,000,000 that was deposited to a cooperative, and Rp. 242,000,000 was used for operations and others by individuals with the initials YG.

"YG's role as Korlap in West Java, that's the result obtained by the West Java Pungli Saber Task Force," said Erdi.

Kombes Erdi said that so far the police have not named a suspect in the alleged extortion case, but there are already seven people who are witnesses in the case.

"This is still a witness, an investigation is still being carried out, it is still being investigated by Ditreskrimsus, especially in the Corruption Crime Unit," he said.