Controversy Of Rahmat Efendi, Mayor Of Bekasi Who Was Caught By The KPK OTT, Wreaths Of Rp. 1 Billion Become A Spotlight

Mayor of Bekasi Rahmat Effendi/ANTARA DOCUMENTATION

JAKARTA - The Mayor of Bekasi, Rahmat Effendi, was caught by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in a hand arrest operation (OTT).

Pepen, as Rahmat Effendi is called, has served as Mayor of Bekasi since May 3, 2012, replacing Mochtar Mohamad, who was involved in corruption problems.

The man who was born on February 3, 1964, was re-elected in the regional election and became mayor of the 2013-2018 and 2018-2023 periods.

In the 2013-2018 period, Rahmat was accompanied by Akhmad Syaikhu. Then, for the 2018-2023 period, he was accompanied by Tri Adhianto Tjahyono.

Rahmat is an official from the Golkar Party and is currently the Chairman of the Golkar DPD in Bekasi City.

Rahmat, who is currently 58 years old, has also recorded a series of controversies during his tenure as regional head.

So what are the controversies created by Rahmat alias Pepen?

Bekasi's proposal to enter Southeast Jakarta

In 2019, Rahmat became a public concern when he proposed that Bekasi enter the Jakarta area, not West Java.

He said Bekasi was not taken care of when it entered West Java. At that time, he proposed the name Southeast Jakarta.

Another reason, Rahmat considers that Bekasi residents are a community that is 'medok Betawi' so that it is relevant if the province is included in DKI Jakarta.

Birthday Party Amid Rising COVID-19

During his time in charge of Bekasi, Pepen was not free from controversy. In early February 2021, Pepen received a lot of attention for holding a birthday party in the midst of the increasing situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rahmat's birthday celebration party was held at his private villa in the Cisarua area, Bogor, Wednesday, February 3, 2021, and was attended by officials from the Bekasi City Government. In fact, at that time there was a single organ as a performer.

This party was discovered by local village officials after reports emerged from a number of residents. Following up on the report, Satpol PP officers came to the location of the event and gave a warning. The event was immediately stopped and all the guests went home.

R1.1 Billion Bouquets

The Bekasi City Government recently received criticism for allocating a budget of Rp. 1.1 billion for the procurement of flower bouquets in the 2022 Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD).

The day before being arrested by the KPK, Rahmat Effendi had a chance to comment on the budget for the wreath. He explained that giving greetings in the form of bouquets of flowers was a form of attention from the Bekasi City Government to the community.

The wreath will later be used when conveying condolences, congratulation, or the inauguration of an event.

"So don't look at the value, but this is a form of regional head's concern for its citizens," said Pepen.