Ministry Of Home Affairs Appoints Riau Deputy Governor To Replace Governor Abdul Wahid As KPK Suspect

DOC/Governor of Riau Abdul Wahid (left) with Riau Deputy Governor SF Hariyanto (right). (ANTARA/HO-Riau Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia appointed Deputy Governor of Riau SF Hariyanto to replace Governor Abdul Wahid who was named by the KPK as a suspect.

The Regional Secretary of the Riau Provincial Government, Syahrial Abdi, confirmed the appointment. He admitted that he had received the appointment via radiogram with a very immediate statement number 100.2.1.3/8861/SJ.

"Yes, we have received a radiogram from the Minister of Home Affairs," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, November 5.

The radiogram was conveyed regarding the arrest and detention of Abdul Wahid ( term of office 2925-2030) by the KPK on November 3, which was conveyed that there were four points by the Minister of Home Affairs.

First, based on Article 65 paragraph 3 of Law number 23 of 2014 concerning local governments, it is emphasized that regional heads who are serving a period of detention are prohibited from carrying out their duties and authorities.

Second, based on Article 66 paragraph 1 of Law Number 23 concerning Regional Governments, it is emphasized that the deputy regional head carries out the duties and authorities of the regional head if the regional head undergoes a period of detention or is temporarily absent.

The point for that in order to ensure the sustainability of government administrators and public services in Riau Province is requested by the Deputy Governor of Riau to carry out the duties and authorities of the Governor of Riau until further government policies.

"Similarly to be understood and get attention in its implementation," wrote the last point of the radiogram.

The KPK has named Riau Governor Abdul Wahid as a suspect in a suspected corruption case related to extortion within the Riau Provincial Government for the 2025 fiscal year.

Abdul Wahid was officially presented as a suspect in a press conference attended by Deputy Chairperson of the KPK Johanis Tanak, Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu, and KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in Jakarta, Wednesday.