KPK Appeals Riau Governor Abdul Wahid's 2-Year Sentence

KPK spokesperson, Budi Prasetyo/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has appealed against the two-year prison sentence handed down by the Tipikor Court at the Pekanbaru District Court (PN) against the non-active Riau Governor Abdul Wahid in the extortion case.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said the appeal was filed by the KPK's Prosecutor Team (JPU) on Tuesday, August 4. In addition to Abdul Wahid, the appeal was also filed against two other defendants, namely the Head of the Riau Provincial Government's PUPR Service, Muhammad Arif Setiawan, and the Riau Governor's Expert, Dani M Nursalam.

"The filing of this appeal is the implementation of the authority of the KPK prosecutor as stipulated in the criminal procedure law, after a comprehensive review and study of legal considerations and the judge's decision," Budi told reporters in a written statement, Wednesday, August 5.

"This legal step also reflects the commitment of the KPK to ensure the implementation of appropriate laws and the realization of a sense of justice in handling corruption cases," he continued.

Budi said the prosecutor's team is currently preparing an appeal memo. In it, it will contain a comprehensive legal argument so that the Riau High Court will re-examine the first-instance verdict based on the legal facts and evidence that have been revealed during the trial.

"The KPK respects all ongoing judicial processes and believes that the legal process is part of the criminal justice system to ensure legal certainty, justice, and the benefits of law in eradicating corruption," he said.

The KPK Public Prosecutor (JPU) is known to have charged Abdul Wahid with a prison sentence of 8 years and 6 months, a fine of Rp. 500 million, a six-month imprisonment, and a replacement of Rp. 1.45 billion.

In the same case, Muhammad Arif Setiawan was sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison, while Dani M Nursalam was sentenced to 4 years in prison.

However, the Corruption Court Panel of Judges at the Pekanbaru District Court in a ruling read out on Thursday, July 30, 2026, sentenced Abdul Wahid to two years in prison. Muhammad Arif Setiawan and Dani M Nursalam were also sentenced to two years in prison, lighter than the KPK prosecutor's demands.

Based on the verdict, the KPK decided to appeal to ask the appeal court to re-evaluate the first-instance judge's legal considerations.