On Monday Morning, the Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) Questioned Pati Regent Sudewo Regarding Alleged Bribery in the Railway Project

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned Pati Regent Sudewa, also known as Sudewo, today, September 22nd. He was summoned in connection with alleged bribery related to several railway line construction projects at the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) at the Ministry of Transportation.

Sudewo reportedly arrived at the KPK's Merah Putih building in Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, with several other people at 9:42 a.m. Western Indonesian Time. He immediately went into the questioning room after exchanging identity cards at the receptionist.

"(He is being questioned, ed.) in connection with corruption in railway line construction within the DJKA-Ministry of Transportation," KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo told reporters on Monday, September 22nd.

The details of the material investigators will examine during the questioning have not been disclosed. "The KPK has scheduled witness examinations," Budi confirmed.

Sudewo was previously questioned by investigators on Wednesday, August 27th, as a witness in the same case.

Meanwhile, Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Asep Guntur Rahayu, stated that Sudewo is suspected of accepting bribes related to several railway construction projects. The bribes were received while the Gerindra Party politician served on Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI).

"Considering that the person concerned is involved in several cases, we are currently gathering evidence for all related cases," Asep told reporters on Monday, September 8.

Asep detailed that Sudewo's involvement in railway construction included the Solo Balapan-Kadipiro section, the Tegal-Semarang section, the Cianjur-Bogor section; the East Java railway section; the Sumatra railway section; and the Sulawesi railway section.

Therefore, investigators need time to delve into his role before determining his legal status.

"God willing, we will eventually reach the person concerned," he emphasized.

As previously reported, Pati residents urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to immediately name Pati Regent Sudewo a suspect in a bribery case involving the construction of a railway line at the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) at the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub).

They expressed this demand during a demonstration at the KPK's Merah Putih building in Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, on Monday, September 1.

"Please, let's have a discussion with KPK representatives here. If we want an open debate, what the mechanism is. Please, let's have an open debate. We have the courage. We can't go home empty-handed," said one Pati resident present at the location using a loudspeaker.

"We can't go home with uncertainty, we can't go home just with, tomorrow, tomorrow tomorrow," he continued.

Representatives of the residents assured that they would not carry out any anarchic actions. "But please listen to the voice of the people of Pati Regency. Don't let the people of Pati Regency lose trust in the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)," he stressed.