KPK Again Names Regent Of North Hulu Sungai Utara, Abdul Wahid Suspect, This Time Related To Money Laundering

Acting KPK Spokesperson Ali Fikri (Photo: Screenshot of the Indonesian KPK Youtube Screen/Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has again named the inactive Hulu Sungai Utara (HSU) Regent Abdul Wahid as a suspect in the crime of money laundering (TPPU).

The decision was made after investigators discovered that there were attempts to disguise and change the form of the bribes and gratuities they received. Not only that, Abdul is also suspected of diverting assets from the results of his presumptuous practices to other people.

"Based on the evidence found, the KPK has again named suspect AW as a suspect in the alleged ML case," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement ALi Fikri told reporters, Tuesday, December 28.

Ali said that the ML application to Abdul was carried out because of the evidence found by investigators.

"There is sufficient preliminary evidence that there has been a change from the proceeds of criminal acts of corruption to assets of economic value such as vehicle property, and placing money in bank accounts," he said.

Furthermore, Ali reminded all parties not to try to hinder the investigation process of alleged money laundering conducted by Abdul Wahid. This warning is given because the KPK has received information that there are parties who are trying to unilaterally transfer these assets.

For anyone who hinders this process, Ali said, the KPK will not hesitate to apply the provisions of Article 21 of the Anti-Corruption Law. The article reads as follows:

Anyone who intentionally prevents, hinders, or thwarts directly or indirectly the investigation, prosecution, and examination in court against suspects and defendants or witnesses in corruption cases, shall be punished with imprisonment for a minimum of three years and a maximum of 12 years and or a minimum fine of Rp. 150 million and a maximum of Rp. 600 million

"KPK reminds that in the process of investigating this case, there are no parties who consciously and deliberately try to prevent, hinder or thwart the investigation of this case because we do not hesitate to apply criminal sanctions," said Ali.

As previously reported, the KPK has appointed and detained the Regent of Hulu Sungai Utara, Abdul Wahid. This determination is the development of a case from a hand arrest operation (OTT) which was carried out on November 15, in which 3 people became suspects.

The three people who have already been named suspects and detained are the Acting Head of Public Works Office of the North Hulu Sungai Regency (HSU) Maliki; Director of CV Hanamas, Marhaini; and Director of CV Kalpataru, Fachriadi.

In this case, Abdul became a suspect because he received money from the Acting Head of the PUPRP Service, Maliki. The money was handed over according to his request for appointing Maliki.

In addition, Abdul also received a commitment fee of 10 percent from the work project in the Water Resources Sector of the Hulu Sungai Utara Office in 2021 with an amount of Rp. 500 million.

Next, he is also suspected of receiving money in the amount of Rp. 4.6 billion in 2019; Rp12 billion in 2020; and Rp1.8 billion in 2021. The money is given as a commitment fee from other projects that have been carried out by the private sector.