JAKARTA - Pati Regent Sudewa, also known as Sudewo, remained tight-lipped after undergoing questioning as a witness at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) building in Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, today. His aide even obstructed reporters at the scene.
According to field observations, Sudewo finished his questioning at around 3:03 PM WIB (Western Indonesian Time). He was questioned regarding alleged bribery related to several railway construction projects at the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) at the Ministry of Transportation.
Initially, Sudewo stopped in front of reporters to explain his questioning. He admitted to being asked about the case at hand.
"I was questioned about the railway," Sudewo told reporters.
Sudewo also claimed that no money was returned after the questioning. It was at this point that Sudewo's aide, wearing a brown batik shirt and a brown shirt, obstructed reporters.
He pushed several reporters who were waiting for Sudewo's statement. Furthermore, the two even blocked the camera in front of the regional head.
This obstruction continued until Sudewo entered a black Innova Zenix car, license plate B 2576 WFA. This incident even prompted security personnel at the KPK office to intervene.
One of the aides, wearing a brown batik shirt, was even pulled over after an argument with reporters.
Sudewo had actually been questioned by investigators on Wednesday, August 27th. He was questioned as a witness in the same case and denied receiving the money.
"That money is income from the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), everything is detailed: there are income, revenues, and deductions," Sudewo stated at the time.
Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, stated that Sudewo is suspected of accepting bribes related to several railway construction projects. The bribes were received while the Gerindra Party politician served as a member of Commission V of the DPR.
"Considering that the person concerned is involved in several cases, we are currently gathering evidence for all related cases," Asep told reporters, as quoted on Monday, September 8th.
Asep detailed Sudewo's involvement in railway construction on the Solo Balapan-Kadipiro section, the Tegal-Semarang section, the Cianjur-Bogor section; the East Java railway section; the Sumatra railway section; and the Sulawesi railway section.
Therefore, investigators need time to delve into his role before determining his legal status.
"God willing, in due course, we will get to the person concerned," he stressed.
As previously reported, Pati residents urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to immediately name Pati Regent Sudewo a suspect in the railway construction bribery case involving the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) at the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub).
They expressed this demand during a demonstration at the KPK's Merah Putih building in Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, on Monday, September 1.
"Please, let us have a discussion with the KPK representatives here. If we want an open debate, what the mechanism is. Please, let's have an open debate, we have the courage. We can't go home empty-handed," said one Pati resident present at the location using a loudspeaker.
"We can't go home with uncertainty, we can't just go home with tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow," he continued.
The resident representative assured them that they would not engage in any anarchic actions. "But please listen to the voice of the people of Pati Regency. Don't let the people of Pati Regency lose trust in the KPK," he stressed.
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