"How Long, Hey!" Pati Residents Dissatisfied With the Corruption Eradication Commission's Only Answer That the Sudewo Case Is Still Ongoing

JAKARTA - Pati residents continue to question the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)'s work regarding the railway construction bribery case involving the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) at the Ministry of Transportation. They are urging the immediate naming of Pati Regent Sudewa, also known as Sudewo, as a suspect.

This occurred when KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo met with the crowd who had departed from Pati, Central Java, and arrived at the KPK's Merah Putih building in Kuningan Persada today, September 1st. He initially confirmed that the legal process regarding the alleged bribery case involving Sudewo at the Ministry of Transportation's DJKA, which allegedly involved Sudewo, was still ongoing.

"The investigation into this case is still ongoing, so we can assure you that it will not stop. The investigation into this case is still ongoing," Budi said in his statement.

However, Budi stated that investigations into alleged corruption cannot be conducted haphazardly. He stated that there are legal principles that must be adhered to.

However, he encouraged Pati residents to submit additional information to the anti-corruption commission if they have it. "We are open and very receptive to suggestions and input that can support the handling of this case," he emphasized.

"Furthermore, the KPK building is a public building, always open to all Indonesians," he continued.

Receiving this statement, Pati residents then responded enthusiastically to Budi.

"How long will the process take, sir?" asked one resident.

"How long, hey!" asked another resident present.

Budi, unfortunately, did not answer the Pati residents' question. Instead, he handed the loudspeaker to South Jakarta Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Nicholas Ary Lilipaly, who asked the protesters to remain peaceful.

"Please accept and understand that the KPK is a legal institution whose actions are based on Indonesian law," Nicholas said.

"As previously stated, the KPK has stated that the case against the Regent, Mr. SDW, is currently under investigation," he continued.

As previously reported, Pati resident representative Supriyono, also known as Botok, accused the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) of protecting Pati Regent Sudewa, also known as Sudewo, so he has not been named a suspect in the railway construction bribery case involving the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) at the Ministry of Transportation.

This was conveyed by Supriyono, also known as Botok, the coordinator of the United Pati Community Alliance (Aliansi Masyarakat Pati Bersatu), who visited the KPK's Red and White building in Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta. They took action after boarding seven buses, with 350 residents in attendance.

"Why hasn't the KPK named a suspect? Because the KPK hasn't investigated, hasn't developed any evidence. They've been trying to get Sudewo off the hook," Supriyono told reporters at the scene.

Supriyono stated that Sudewo's involvement was already clear. Moreover, the Gerindra politician returned the money to the KPK during the case.

Therefore, Supriyono urged the KPK to immediately name Sudewo a suspect. "The KPK shouldn't act like that. I said earlier, if the KPK isn't upright, don't blame the people of Pati for being angry," he stressed.

"Don't blame Pati for the burning. Yesterday, on the 13th, I calmed down the people of Pati. The district hall was going to be burned, and I calmed down. The House of Representatives was going to be burned, and I calmed down," Supriyono continued.