PKB Asks KPK To Open Parties Involved In The Riau Governor's OTT Case: How Can It Happen In Our Cadres

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of PKB Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, expressed his concern over the appointment of the Governor of Riau as an official suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) today.

Cucun also asked the KPK to openly disclose the alleged corruption case involving his cadre after being caught by the Hand Catch Operation (OTT) in Riau Province on Monday, November 3, yesterday.

"Of course, yes, we are concerned and convey our concern, how can this happen in our cadres," said Cucun at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 5.

According to Cucun, this incident is a reminder for all PKB cadres who become regional heads or public officials, both executives and legislatures, that they have been given trust. He reminded that the events experienced by the Governor of Riau should not happen again in other PKB cadres.

"Don't let there be actions, actions that can lead to what happened to our friends as well," he appealed.

Cucun said PKB respects the decisions and legal processes made by the KPK. He also asked the KPK to open up anyone involved other than Abdul Wahid, including the beginning of why OTT could occur.

He reminded that his cadres should not only be scapegoats in cases currently being handled by the KPK.

"Later, please open it as clearly as anyone (who is involved). For example, this should not be because of our cadres, for example now they don't have any power, so it can happen like this, that's who is behind it or behind it," he said.

"Later, if the KPK can open developments on, for example, why did this happen like the initial process," continued the Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

It is known that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) officially announced three suspects after holding a hand arrest operation (OTT) in Riau Province on Monday, November 3. One of them is Riau Governor Abdul Wahid who was also caught in a series of activities.

"After finding sufficient evidence, the KPK named three people as suspects," said KPK Deputy Chair Johanis Tanak at a press conference at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, November 5.

Apart from Abdul Wahid, the anti-corruption commission also appointed M. Arief Setiawan as Head of the Riau Province Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing, Settlement and Land Areas (PUPR PKPP) and Dani M. Nursalam as an expert for the Governor of Riau as a suspect.

Johanis said the three suspects would be detained until November 23 at different detention centers. In detail, Abdul Wahid is being held at the ACLC building detention center of the KPK.

Meanwhile, Arief and Dani were detained at the KPK's Red and White building detention center. "The three suspects were detained for the first 20 days," he said.

The three of them were called Johanis as suspects in extortion cases within the Riau Provincial Government. This case began when there was an additional 2025 budget allocated to the UPT Jalan and Jembatan Region I-VI PUPR PKPP Office, which was originally Rp71.6 billion to Rp177.4 billion.

It is suspected that there was a 2.5 percent ability to provide fees which were then discussed at a cafe in the Pekanbaru City area, Riau. The discussion was held between Ferry Yunanda as Secretary of the PKPP PUPR Service along with six UPTs.

Then Ferry conveyed the results of the meeting to M. Arief as Head of the Riau PUPR Service and representative Abdul Wahid. However, Arief actually asked for 5 percent or Rp. 7 billion.

As a result of their actions, the suspects were suspected of violating the provisions in Article 12e and/or Article 12f and/or Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code.