Rp1 Billion In Black Suitcase Causing North Penajam Paser Regent To KPK Detention Center

KPK shows evidence related to OTT Penajam Paser Utara Regent Abdul Gafur Mas'ud (Wadhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Penajam Paser Utara Regent Abdul Gafur Mas'ud as a suspect in alleged bribery in the procurement of goods and services as well as permits. This decision was made after he was caught in an arrest operation (OTT) on Wednesday, January 12 at a mall in Jakarta.

In an orange vest and handcuffed, Abdul Gafur walked towards the press conference room. He is a suspect for receiving bribes with the Plt Secretary of Penajam Paser Utara Regency, Mulyadi; Head of Department of Public Works and Spatial Planning of Penajam Paser Utara Regency Edi Hasmoro; and Head of the Penajam Paser Utara District Education, Youth, and Sports Office, and General Treasurer of the Balikpapan Democratic Party DPC, Nur Afifah Balqis.

Meanwhile, as a suspect for giving bribes, the KPK has named a private party named Achmad Zudi.

"Sufficient preliminary evidence was found so that the KPK raised the status of this case to the investigation stage by announcing the suspect," Alexander said at a press conference at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, January 13.

Alexander explained that this case began in 2021 where the Penajam Paser Utara Regency Government scheduled several work projects at the PUPR and Spatial Planning and Education, Youth and Sports Offices.

He revealed that the project value is said to have reached Rp112 billion, with details for the multi-year project to upgrade the Sotek-Bukit Subur Road with a contract value of Rp58 billion and the construction of a library building worth Rp9.9 billion.

"Due to this project, suspect AGM as the regent allegedly ordered MI as the Acting Secretary of the Penajam Paser Utara Regency, suspect EH as the Head of the RT PU Service, and JM as the Head of the Education, Youth and Sports Office to collect a sum of money from the partners involved in the project. already working on physical projects," he said.

Next, the KPK also revealed that Abdul Gafur received a sum of money allegedly related to the issuance of permits, including permits for land use rights for oil palm and bleach plants or stone crushers at the Public Works and Spatial Planning Office of Penajam Paser Utara Regency.

Apart from being ordered to collect money, Mulyadi along with Edi and Jusman also became Abdul's confidants to manage and represent himself receiving money from. The money was used for his personal interests.

Meanwhile, the suspect Abdul and Balqis just received and managed the incoming money. This money, said Alexander, went into an account belonging to Balqis which was also used for Abdul's interests.

"In addition, suspect AGM is also suspected of having received cash in the amount of Rp1 billion from suspect AZ who worked on a road project with a contract value of Rp64 billion in Penajam Paser Utara Regency," Alexander explained.

A black suitcase containing Rp1 billion found

On that occasion, Alexander explained that the anti-corruption commission confiscated rupiah denominations as well as account balances and groceries during a silent operation.

One of the items confiscated was a black bucket hat with a Dior print and a Zara shopping bag.

"Evidence in the form of cash amounting to Rp1 billion and a bank account with a balance of Rp447 million, as well as a number of groceries, were brought to the Red and White House," said Alex.

He explained that the silent operation carried out by his team began with public information about the alleged receipt of a sum of money by state officials. Subsequently, the KPK team dispersed to a number of areas in Jakarta and East Kalimantan.

As a result, the KPK learned of a collection of money from contractors through the Acting Secretary of the Penajam Paser Utara Regency Mulyadi and the Head of the Penajam Paser Utara Regency Education, Youth and Sports Office Jusman as a fulfillment of Abdul Gafur's orders on Wednesday, January 12.

Alexander revealed that the money collection was carried out at a cafe in the city of Balikpapan and in the area around Semayang Harbor. "The money collected in cash amounted to around Rp950 million, then after the money was collected, the NP then reported to AGM that the money was ready to be handed over to AGM," he said.

The NP is Nis Purhadi, who is Abdul Gafur's confidant. Then Nis was ordered by Abdul to take the money to Jakarta.

Arriving in Jakarta, Nis was then picked up by another of Abdul's confidants and went to his house in West Jakarta to hand over the money he had brought with him.

Furthermore, Abdul together with Nis and the General Treasurer of the Balikpapan Democratic Party DPC, Nur Afifah Balqis visited a mall in South Jakarta with hundreds of millions of cash.

"On AGM's orders, NAB then added Rp50 million from the money in his bank account so that the money collected was Rp1 billion and put it in the suitcase that had been prepared," Alexander explained.

Then when the three of them were about to leave the mall, Alexander said his men ambushed them with Rp1 billion in cash in a black suitcase. In addition, money stored in Balqis' bank account was also found in the amount of Rp447 million.

"Allegedly belonging to the suspect AGM received from partners," he said.

After being named suspects, the six people will then be detained at the KPK Detention Center for the first 20 days starting from Thursday, January 13 to February 1.

As a result of their actions, Abdul, Mulyadi, Edi, Jusman, and Nur as recipients were suspected of violating Article 12 letter (a) or Article 12 letter (b) or Article 11 of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended with the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) to 1 of the Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, Zuhdi as the giver was suspected of violating Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or Article 5 paragraph (1) letter b or Article 13 of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by the Law of the Republic of Indonesia. Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.