KPK Ready to Receive Reports from the Public about the Extortion of Filling Village Devices in the Era of Sudewo

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is ready to receive and follow up on reports from the community of Pati, Central Java regarding alleged extortion of village institutions. They can convey it through various ways.

The anti-corruption commission has named Pati Regent Sudewa or Sudewo as a suspect in the extortion case for filling village devices. He was orange with three village heads after being caught in a hand-in-hand operation (OTT) on Monday, January 19.

"We continue to wait if later the Pati community wants to report similar alleged corruption cases in their sub-districts, please, we open the door as wide as possible," said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters, Saturday, January 24.

Budi explained that there are various ways that Pati residents can access who want to report alleged practices in the Sudewo era. Among them are through the KPK 198 call center and the email pengaduan@kpk.go.id.

"Or can convey it when the examination is carried out," he said.

Meanwhile, the acting deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, ensured the security of the parties who reported extortion in Pati Regency. Because, they will be protected and considered to have helped the agency's work because extortion was only known in Jakenan Village.

"There are still 20 more sub-districts (in Pati Regency, ed). So we appeal to the prospective village cadres, of course, they will be treated the same, they will also be asked by the respective field coordinators on the orders of this SDW brother," Asep told reporters quoted from the KPK's official YouTube, Wednesday, January 21.

Asep said that information about extortion experienced by other village cadres would certainly be followed up. "Don't be afraid, because here, these village cadres are victims of extortion," he said.

"So (the report, ed) makes this matter clear and reveals it thoroughly if there is a similar corruption modus operandi for filling other positions or something from other parties," continued Asep, who also serves as the Director of Investigation of the KPK.

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