KPK Finds IDR 551.5 Million During OTT Labuhanbatu Regent

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said there were findings of hundreds of millions of rupiah when holding a hand arrest operation (OTT) which eventually ensnared the Regent of Labuhanbatu, North Sumatra, Erik Adtrada Ritonga. This amount is part of the temporary receipt of IDR 1.7 billion.

"The amount of cash in this activity was secured in the amount of around Rp. 551.5 million as part of the alleged temporary receipt," said KPK Deputy Chair Nurul Ghufron to reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Friday, January 12.

In this case, Erik became a suspect along with three other people. They are members of the Labuhan Batu Regency DPRD Rudi Syahputra Ritonga and Efendy Sahputra alias Asiong and Fazar Syahputra alias Abe who are private parties.

Ghufron explained that this case began when Labuhanbatu Regency budgeted for the APBD of IDR 1.4 trillion in the 2024 fiscal year. Erik then intervened and was active in various procurement projects in various SKPDs.

He then appointed Rudi as his right-hand man and made project arrangements by determining the contractor unilaterally.

Erik paid attention to the project is the improvement of Sei Rakyat-Sei Berombang Street, Central Panai District and Sei Lihat-Sidamakmur Street, Bilah Hilir/Paraai Hulu District District District. "With the value of the work, the two projects reached Rp. 19.9 billion," he said.

Next, Erik through Rudi provided conditions for contractors who want to be won to provide a fee of 5-15 percent of the project amount.

Ghufron explained that Efendy and Fazar agreed and became the winners of the two projects.

Then, Rudi as a confidant asked the two private parties to prepare the money termed a quote or procession. The handover of money was then carried out but a silent operation took place immediately.

"The handover of money from FS and ES to RSR was then carried out in early January 2024 through bank account transfer in the name of RSR and also through cash submission," he said.

Furthermore, it is certain that Ghufron will continue to investigate. This is because there are other allegations of corrupt practices that have occurred.

As a result of their actions, Erik and Rudi as recipients were suspected of violating Article 12 letter a or b or Article 11 of the Anti-Corruption Law. Meanwhile, as donors, Efendi and Fazar are suspected of violating Article 5 paragraph (1) letter or b or Article 13 of the Anti-Corruption Law.