PPP General Chair Muhammad Romahurmuziy Arrested By KPK In History Today, March 15, 2019

The General Chairperson of PPP, Muhammad Romahurmuziy (Romi) in the orange vest of a KPK prisoner. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA History today, six years ago, March 15, 2019, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a Hand Catch Operation to the General Chairperson of the United Development Party (PPP), Muhammad Romahurmuziy. The arrest was made because Romi was involved in buying and selling positions at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag).

Previously, Romi was not only involved with the KPK once. He was first examined as a witness in the alleged bribery case related to the allocation of balance funds in the 2018 APBD for Central Lampung and Sumedang.

Many people often target positions as leaders of political parties. This position is considered to be able to bring change to the lives of the Indonesian people. Its political decisions are believed to be able to determine the future of the nation.

Romi also agreed. The general chairman of PPP is confident that he has a big influence on Indonesia's political map. However, that influence was not maximally utilized. Instead of bringing great achievements, Romi actually took part in dealing with the KPK.

Take for example on August 21, 2018. Romi is listed as one of the politicians on the KPK's list of examinations. He was examined as a witness in the alleged bribery case related to the allocation of balance funds in the 2018 APBD.

The case arose because one of the PPP officials at his house was searched by the KPK. The results of the search made the KPK secure Rp1.4 billion in cash in Singapore dollars denominations. The rest of the KPK confiscated documents related to the regional budget application.

The money is known to have been obtained from bribes in evaporating the allocation of additional funds in the 2018 APBD for Lampung Tangah and Semedang Regencies. This position made Romi highlighted. There is much speculation that Romi was involved.

Romi immediately moved to fulfill the KPK's summons. He felt innocent.

"Yes, Monday I received a call but because the call came quite suddenly, (the schedule) I have been set (set), it can be seen that my activities in the regions starting Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, I just arrived in Jakarta again last night. So I decided today afternoon, because this morning I just received the EU ambassador," Romi said as quoted by the tirto.id page, August 23, 2018.

Romi may not be proven to be involved in a bribery case related to the allocation of balance funds in the 2018 APBD. However, Romi was actually entangled in another case. Romi is suspected of being involved in buying and selling positions at the Ministry of Religion.

This allegation was proven on March 15, 2019. The KPK conducted an OTT on Romi in front of the Bumi Hyatt Hotel, Surabaya. The total bribes that were secured reached Rp. 156,758,000. Romi's arrest brought a stir.

Romi's team for winning Jokowi-Ma'ruf immediately confirmed that Romi's corruption was a personal matter. It is not a party matter and has nothing to do with the 2019 presidential election. Then, the day after that the KPK named Romi as a corruption suspect.

"The money is not much, but I haven't received a complete report yet, but what needs to be noted is that it is not the first gift because previously the person concerned had given it. I can't confirm that yet, but just wait a moment if what he brings is there, but we don't know the status yet because we are still waiting for the examination".

"Regarding the bribes related to the promotion of positions to take certain positions, the person concerned will accept bribes. We'll just have to wait because frankly the examination has not been completed. You just wait and then we will have a press conference on this tomorrow," said the Chairman of the KPK, Agus Rahardjo as quoted by the ANTARA website, March 15, 2019.