KPK Surprised That Retired Echelon III Provincial Government Officials Disbursed IDR 35 Billion, But Cannot Be Processed

KPK Deputy Chair Alexander Marwata and DKI Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria (Photo: Diah Ayu Wardani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Alexander Marwata, recounted one handling of alleged corruption within the DKI Provincial Government that his party had handled.

Without explaining the time of the incident and the professional field of his corrupt practice, Alexander initially said that the KPK had received a report from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) that an echelon III official of the DKI Provincial Government had withdrawn money with a fantastic value of IDR 35 billion.

He conveyed this in the socialization of preventing corruption among officials and ASN (State Civil Apparatus) of the DKI Provincial Government. The event was attended by Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria, and several high-ranking officials of the DKI Provincial Government.

"KPK once received a report from PPATK, one of the echelon III officials in DKI. As soon as the person concerned retired, he cashed a check amounting to IDR 35 billion and he bought a house in cash for IDR 3.5 billion", said Alexander at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Thursday, March 17.

The KPK also sensed that something was wrong with the money transactions of the echelon III officials. Then, the KPK also summoned the person concerned to ask for clarification.

Unexpectedly, after the clarification took place, the echelon III official who was suspected of receiving the gratuity died.

"I said, 'clarification! clarification!' But, I don't know, maybe it was God's way, not long after we clarified, he died", said Alexander.

Finally, the KPK decided to stop the alleged crime of corruption committed by the echelon III official. However, the KPK continues to report the flow of these funds to the Directorate General of Taxes.

Because, according to Alexander, although the alleged crime cannot be continued because the party concerned has died, his wealth can still be taxed.

"Allegations that we have committed a crime of receiving gratification, we delegate to the Directorate General of Taxes. For what? So that the wealth can be taxed. If it is not reported, a tax audit will be carried out", he explained.

Reflecting on this case, Alexander underlined that the potential for leakage of the DKI Regional Budget is quite high because even echelon III officials can also "play". Therefore, Alexander invites officials and staff of the DKI Provincial Government to instill the value of integrity from the smallest scope, namely family.

"On this occasion, we collaborate with the Governor and Deputy Governor, and all levels of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to build family-based integrity values", said Alexander.

Alexander saw that the example of maintaining integrity is that the spouse of the DKI Provincial Government officials must know the income of their husband or wife. They should be suspicious if suddenly their husband or wife gets money that exceeds their income.

"So, when someone brings cash that is considered suspicious, there is also someone who reminds them of what money is this? Salaries are transferred? Well, it must be explained. As long as it can be explained where the source came from, okay, it doesn't matter", he added.