Firli Bahuri: Bekasi Mayor OTT Is A Bad Record In Eradicating Corruption

Photo via Bekasi City Government

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri said the hand arrest operation (OTT) that ensnared Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi was a bad record in efforts to eradicate corruption. The reason is that this arrest shows that corrupt practices are still happening today.

"Yesterday we arrested one of the regional heads, namely the Mayor of Bekasi. This is a bad record regarding our efforts to eradicate corruption," said Firli in Jakarta, Thursday, January 6.

He emphasized that this kind of corruption should not be allowed to happen again. Moreover, Indonesia is heading towards an era of openness based on transparency and accountability.

"Indeed, there should be no more corrupt practices. Especially if we look at our nation's journey from closedness to openness," said the former Deputy for Enforcement of the Corruption Eradication Commission.

"Of course it is a nightmare for corruptors because there should be no more corruption in the era of openness and reform and democracy that we have developed so far," added Firli.

As previously reported, the KPK conducted an OTT in the Bekasi area, West Java at around 14.00 WIB. During the silent operation, the KPK arrested 12 people, including the Mayor of Bekasi Rahmat Effendi or who is often called Kang Pepen.

In addition, the Bekasi City Government Civil Apparatus (ASN) and the private sector were also arrested. The transactions that occurred during the silent operation were allegedly related to bribes in the procurement of goods and services and the auction of positions.

In this activity, the anti-corruption commission also found money that had not been specified. Meanwhile, those arrested are still being investigated intensively.