KPK Explores Alleged Receipt Of Money By The Mayor Of Bekasi Pepen Regarding Project Location Determination

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Sector Ali Fikri (Photo: Wardhani Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the alleged receipt of money by the inactive Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi or Pepen regarding the determination of the project location. The investigation was carried out by summoning a number of witnesses for two days from Thursday, January 13 and Friday, January 14.

On Thursday, January 13, investigators summoned the Head of the PMTSP Service, Lintong Dianto Putra; The Lurah of Throughout Jaya, Bekasi City, Junaedi; Head of Land Division of Bekasi City Disperkimtan Heryanto; Head of the Planning and Land Procurement Section of the Bekasi City Disperkimtan Usman Sufirman; and a private company named Tan Kristin Chandra.

Meanwhile, on Friday, January 14, the witnesses examined were Head of the Destinations Section of the Bekasi City Tourism Office, Reindaldi; Private employee named Peter; and private from PT Deka Sari Perkasa, Rachmat Utama Djangkar.

"Witnesses were present and confirmed, among others, regarding the location of land for several projects in Bekasi City," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Affairs Ali Fikri told reporters quoted Monday, January 17.

In addition, Ali said that the witnesses were also being investigated regarding the flow of money that Pepen received. This acceptance is allegedly related to the determination of the project location in Bekasi City.

"It was also confirmed that there was an alleged flow of money to determine the location, one of which went to the suspect RE," he stressed. Previously, the KPK named Rahmat Effendi or Pepen along with eight other people as suspects for alleged bribery in the procurement of goods and services as well as the auction of positions in Bekasi City Government.

Pepen is suspected of receiving billions of rupiah as a commitment fee from the private sector whose land was acquired for a project belonging to the Bekasi City Government and received compensation. However, he called the money a mosque donation code.

In addition to the bribes above, the KPK also revealed that Pepen received money related to project management and contract labor at the Bekasi City Government in the amount of Rp. 30 million. The money was given by the Director of PT MAM Energindo, Ali Amril and received by the Secretary of the Investment Office and PTSP Bekasi City, M Bunyamin.

Later, he also received some money from employees at the Bekasi City Government in return for their position. However, it did not specify how much money the Golkar Party politician received.

However, the money found from the gifts given by the employees was only Rp600 million left when the silent operation was carried out. Allegedly, the money already exists which was used in part to meet its operational needs.