Skipping Calls Related To Alleged Bribery Of PPU Regent, Sultan Of Pontianak KPK Diultimatum

KPK Building/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has issued an ultimatum to the Sultan of Pontianak Syarif Machmud Melvin Alkadrie to cooperate in responding to the summons as a witness to the alleged bribery that ensnared the inactive North Penajam Paser Regent Abdul Gafur Mas'ud.

This ultimatum was given because Syarif Machmud was not present at the questioning that was supposed to be held on Thursday, March 31 at the Brimob Headquarters of the East Kalimantan Police (Kaltim) in Balikpapan.

"Sharif Machmud Melvin Alkadrie, the Sultan of Pontianak, was not present and without confirmation," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri in a written statement, Friday, March 1.

Next, investigators scheduled a re-examination. Ali asked Syarif Machmud to cooperate in responding to the summons because his statement was needed to investigate the alleged bribery.

"The summons will be sent back soon and the KPK urges them to be cooperative in attending at the next determined schedule," he said.

Previously, the KPK named Abdul Gafur as a suspect in receiving bribes related to the procurement of goods and services as well as licensing at the North Penajam Paser Regency Government.

Apart from Gafur, there are five other people who have been named as alleged recipients, namely the Acting Secretary of the North Penajam Paser Regency, Mulyadi; Head of Department of Public Works and Spatial Planning of North Penajam Paser Regency Edi Hasmoro; Head of the North Penajam Paser District Education, Youth and Sports Office, Jusman; 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, Achmad Zudi.

Their determination was initiated from the catching operation (OTT) which was held on Wednesday, January 12 in Jakarta and North Kalimantan. From the results of the action, the KPK confiscated Rp1 billion and Rp447 million in accounts belonging to Balqis.