Called Again After Being Absent, Uncle Birin Hasn't Appeared At The KPK's Red And White Building Today

JAKARTA - Former Governor of South Kalimantan Sahbirin Noor or Uncle Birin was not present at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, today. Uncle Birin should have been examined as a witness for alleged bribery after being absent during the first summons on Monday, November 18.

"There has been no confirmation of Sahbirin Noor's presence as a witness," said KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika to reporters, Friday, November 22.

Meanwhile, the spirit of Uncle Birin's absence has actually been conveyed by his attorney, Aribowo Soesilo. He could not confirm his client's presence.

"I don't know yet, but Mr. SN doesn't seem to even know there was a call because I haven't been able to contact him since after the pretrial decision," Soesilo said when confirmed by reporters.

Even so, Soesilo explained that the summons as a witness had reached Uncle Birin's address. "But, he doesn't exist," he said.

Previously reported, the KPK named former South Kalimantan Governor Sahbirin Noor or Uncle Birin as suspects for receiving bribes along with four other people.

They are the Head of the Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR) Office of the South Kalimantan Provincial Government Ahmad Solhan (SOL), the Head of Cipta Karya as well as the Commitment Making Officer (PPK) of the South Kalimantan Provincial Government Yulianti Erlynah (YUL), the Management of the Tahfidz Darussalam House as well as the collector of money or fee Ahmad (AMD) and Plt. Head of the Household Section of the Governor of South Kalimantan Agustya Febry Andrean (FEB).

Meanwhile, as the suspect givers, namely Sugeng Wahyudi (YUD) and Andi Susanto (AND) as private parties. A total of seven suspects were named by the KPK which began with a hand arrest operation (OTT) on Sunday, October 6.

This gift was made after Sugeng and Andi got three projects in South Kalimantan. The details:

1. Construction of Football Fields in the Integrated Sports Area of South Kalimantan Province with selected provider PT WKM (Wismani Kharya Mandiri) with a work value of IDR 23 billion;

2. Integrated Samsat Development with selected provider PT HIU (Haryadi Indo Utama) with a work value of IDR 22 billion;

3. Development of Swimming Pools in the Integrated Sports Area of South Kalimantan Province with the selected provider CV BBB (Bunt Banua Bersama) with a work value of IDR 9 billion.

However, Uncle Birin's suspect status was later dropped by the South Jakarta District Court (PN). He won a pretrial lawsuit against the KPK because he did not accept being entangled in this case.

Even so, the anti-corruption commission ensured that the investigation of the receipts made against Uncle Birin would still be carried out. This is because the lawsuit that was won only tested formal, not material cases.