Pati Residents Urge the Corruption Eradication Commission to Name Sudewo a Suspect in the DJKA Bribery Case

Pati Regent Sudewo visited the KPK building in the Ministry of Transportation's DJKA corruption case, Wednesday 27 August (Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - Pati Regent Sudewa, also known as Sudewo, remained silent when asked about Pati residents' demands for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to process him as a suspect in the railway construction bribery case involving the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) at the Ministry of Transportation.

Sudewo is known to have visited the KPK's Merah Putih building in Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, today, August 27th. He will be questioned as a witness in the DJKA bribery case.

He arrived at the anti-corruption commission office at around 9:43 a.m. Western Indonesian Time, accompanied by several unidentified individuals. Sudewo was tight-lipped about the agenda of his questioning, including when asked about his residents' letter to the KPK.

Pati residents wrote to the KPK urging Sudewo to be named a suspect. The peaceful demonstration began with a gathering in front of the Pati Regent's office and continued on foot to the post office on Monday, August 25th.

"Hopefully, everything will be fine," said Sudewo when asked by reporters about the incident.

Sudewo made no further statement, including when asked about his potential suspect for accepting money in the DJKA bribery case.

Sudewo chose to rush in despite the media's constant pressure.

Meanwhile, KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that they were awaiting Sudewo's arrival for questioning as a witness. There was no reason for him to be absent, as investigators had arranged the schedule to suit his schedule.

Sudewo was supposed to be questioned on Friday, August 22nd. However, he was unable to attend, claiming he had other scheduled appointments.

"We trust him, especially since SDW himself requested the rescheduling, so we believe SDW will also attend the questioning," Budi emphasized to reporters.

The KPK previously confirmed that Sudewo had returned the money he received in connection with the alleged DJKA bribery case. However, this return does not necessarily grant him a pardon.

"Yes, as stated in court, it has been returned," Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Asep Guntur Rahayu, told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building in Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, as quoted on Friday, August 14.

Asep stated that Article 4 of the Corruption Eradication Law states that returning the money does not erase the crime committed. Sudewo is suspected of receiving a commitment fee in this case, and this was revealed in court in November 2023.

Furthermore, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stated that Sudewo is suspected of being involved in DJKA projects in several regions. "His role is not limited to the Solo Balapan-Kadipiro area," emphasized Asep, who is also the KPK's Director of Investigations.

"So, we're still waiting because this needs to be comprehensive. The person concerned (Sudewo, ed.) wasn't just involved in that particular project; he played a role in almost all of them," he continued.