KPK Confirms Democratic Party Politician Andi Arief Will Be Examined Next Monday

Chairman of the Election Winning Body (Bappilu) of the Democratic Party Andi Arief. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed that it had recalled the chairman of the Democratic Party's Election Winning Body (Bappilu) Andi Arief.

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Ali Fikri said Andi would be a witness regarding the alleged bribery that ensnared the inactive North Penajam Paser Regent Abdul Gafur Mas'ud and the Balikpapan Democratic Party DPC Treasurer, Nur Afifah Balqis.

"As we have said before, it is true, the KPK investigation team has again summoned Andi Arief to be present as a witness in the case of the suspect AGM et al," Ali said in a written statement to reporters, Tuesday, April 5.

Ali said Andi would be questioned on Monday, April 11 at the KPK Red Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

"We appreciate that the person concerned plans to attend as a form of obedience to the legal process," he said.

As previously reported, the chairman of the Democratic Party's Election Winning Body (Bappilu), Andi Arief, said he had received a summons as a witness from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) today, Tuesday, April 5.

He confirmed that he would be present to provide information on the case that ensnared Abdul Gafur. "Today I received two summons as witnesses in the PPU Regent's case. I will attend because I obey the law," Andi said as quoted from his Twitter @Andiarief__.

Andi then asked for an end to the controversy over the summons that was previously busy being discussed. The reason, the first letter was not received by him because of the wrong address.

"The first call was explained by the Express Post officer, the address was wrong. The second call was also today via DPP," he wrote. "Polemic letter, finished," added Andi.

For information, the KPK appointed Abdul Gafur with 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 as a bribe recipient.

Meanwhile, as a suspect for giving bribes, the KPK has named a private party named Achmad Zudi. These six people have been named as suspects in alleged bribery in the procurement of goods and services as well as granting permits in North Penajam Paser Regency.

Their determination was initiated from a hand-catching operation (OTT) which was held on Wednesday, January 12 in two locations, namely Jakarta and North Kalimantan. From the results of the action, the KPK also confiscated Rp1 billion and Rp447 million in Balqis's account.