Through 3 DPC Chairs, KPK Investigate Alleged Money Flows To The 5th Musda Of The East Kalimantan Democratic Party

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Sector Ali Fikri (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that bribes received by the inactive North Penajam Paser Regent Abdul Gafur Mas'ud flowed into the activities of the 5th Regional Deliberation (Musda) of the East Kalimantan Democratic Party.

This allegation was investigated by three witnesses who were questioned on Thursday, March 31, at the Mako Brimob Office of the East Kalimantan Police in Balikpapan.

Those being investigated were the Chairman of the West Kutai Democratic Party DPC who is also a member of the West Kutai Regency DPRD, Paul Vius; Chairman of the Paser Democratic Party DPC who serves as a member of the Paser Regency DPRD, Abdullah; and Chairman of the DPC Mahakam Hulu Democratic Party, Kelawing Bayau.

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, said the three witnesses were present and had been asked for information regarding the flow of money to the party's event. It is suspected that this gift was made by Abdul Gafur to gain support as the Chairman of the East Kalimantan DPD.

As for this activity, Abdul Gafur has indeed become one of the candidates for the chairman of the DPD of the Democratic Party of East Kalimantan.

"The witnesses were present and confirmed, among others, related to the witness' knowledge of the alleged flow of money to support the candidacy of the AGM suspect at the regional meeting for the election of the chairman of the DPD for the East Kalimantan Democratic Party," Ali said in a written statement to reporters, Friday, April 1.

In addition to examining the three chairmen of the Democratic Party DPC, KPK investigators also examined three other witnesses on the same day.

They are the Head of the Economic Section of the North Penajam Paser Regency Government of Durajat; staff for the economy of the PPU Regency Government Hery Nurdiansyah; and Tedy Aries Atmaja who is the proxy of Siti Audibah, the party in charge of licensing.

From that examination, investigators explored several things. Including the distribution of money in order to get permission to work on the project in North Penajam Paser.

"Witnesses were present and confirmed, among others, related to the granting of various permits to private parties or contractors who will work on projects at the PPU Regency Government and are alleged to be required to submit a certain amount of money to be able to obtain the said permits," said Ali.

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 the 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.