The Corruption Eradication Committee Suspects West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan Knew About the Corruption in the Mempawah Public Works and Public Housing Project.

Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the Corruption Eradication Commition, Asep Guntur Rahayu (DOK Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan was aware of a project by the Mempawah Regency Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR) Department that ultimately resulted in corruption. She confirmed receiving the report while serving as Regent of Mempawah.

"There are indeed allegations that, because each project falls within the regency, and because it is funded through the regional revenue budget, the regional head must have been aware of both the budgeting and the implementation. We are currently investigating this," said Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Asep Guntur Rahayu, to reporters at the Merah Putih KPK Building in Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, as quoted on Tuesday, August 26.

To further explore Ria Norsan's knowledge, investigators conducted an examination some time ago. "It's true that yesterday, the person connected, Mr. RN, we summoned him to question him as a witness. We are currently investigating whether this is known," confirmed Asep, who also serves as the KPK's Director of Investigations.

Furthermore, further investigation is being conducted because investigators have obtained witness statements and other evidence that point to Ria Norsan's alleged involvement.

"So far, based on the available information and the evidence we have found, we are only at the implementation stage. We are currently working to investigate," he said.

Going forward, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will certainly not hesitate to elevate Ria Norsan's legal status to suspect, provided investigators obtain sufficient evidence.

"Of course, when the time comes, when we have found sufficient evidence to change her status, we will immediately change her status," said Asep.

West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan was questioned on Thursday, August 21st. Meanwhile, former Deputy Regent of Mempawah, Gusti Ramlana, was questioned on Friday, August 22nd.

The questioning of Ria Norsan lasted approximately 12 hours and concluded at 9:00 PM WIB. According to information gathered, several of Ria Norsan's accounts have been blocked.

As previously reported, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) searched several locations in West Kalimantan Province on Sunday, April 27th, searching for evidence of alleged corruption. The exact location was reportedly Mempawah Regency.

In addition, coercive measures were also carried out in the Sanggau and Pontianak areas, totaling 16 locations. Investigators subsequently found electronic evidence and several documents related to alleged corruption at the Mempawah Regency Public Works (PU) Department.

The KPK later stated that these searches were to seek evidence of alleged corruption, which is being investigated using a new investigation warrant (sprindik). Allegedly, there was a bribery case related to the improvement of the Sekabuk-Sei Sederam Road and the improvement of the Sebukit Rama-Sei Sederam Road at the Mempawah Regency Public Works Department in the 2015 Fiscal Year.

Three suspects have been named, but the KPK has not yet officially announced them. However, based on information gathered, they are Abdurahman, a civil servant; Lutfi Kaharuddin, a self-employed person and President Director of PT Aditama Borneo Prima; and Idy Safriadi, a civil servant in Mempawah Regency.

The three are suspected of causing state losses of up to IDR 40 billion. This figure is said to be subject to change as calculations are still underway.