KPK to Investigate Sudewo's Motive to Squeeze Village Device Candidates

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will complete the alleged extortion related to the filling of village apparatus positions in Pati Regency which ensnared Pati Regent Sudewa or Sudewo. The money that has been collected from the candidates will be further investigated in the investigation process.

"This is still being investigated for what the money is for," said Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu to reporters quoted via the KPK's official YouTube, Wednesday, January 21.

Asep further believes that the money collected from extortion of prospective village cadres must be a large amount. Because, in one sub-district alone, the amount found by the KPK reached Rp. 2.6 billion.

Moreover, in Pati Regency, Central Java, there are 21 sub-districts besides Jakenan Sub-district. "So it's about that size. Later it will be like that. If in all the sub-districts. Like that. This is a very large amount of money," said Asep, who also served as the Director of Investigation of the KPK.

As previously reported, the KPK named Pati Regent Sudewo as a suspect in alleged extortion of filling village apparatus positions with Abdul Suyono (YON) as the Karangrowo Village Head, Jakenan District; Sumarjiono (JION) as the Arumanis Village Head, Jakenan District; and Karjan (JAN) as the Sukorukun Village Head, Jakenan District.

Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, said that the tariff of Rp. 165-225 million must be paid by the prospective village apparatus (caperdes). This figure is said to have been marked up by Abdul Suyono and Sumarjiono from Rp. 125-150 million.

There was also a threat, namely that the village apparatus formation would not be reopened the following year if the caperdes did not want to hand over the money.

During the silent operation, the KPK then secured Rp2.6 billion which had previously been stored in sacks.

As a result of his actions, Sudewo and his colleagues were suspected of violating Article 12 letter e of Law No. 31 of 1999 as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 jo Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code.

They were also detained for the first 20 days at the KPK Detention Center. This detention will be extended as needed by investigators.