Police Immediately Recall The Deputy Chair Of The Padang DPRD Regarding The Case Of Alleged Misappropriation Of The COVID-19 Aid Pokir Fund

Padang City Police Chief Kombes Imran Amir (center) gives a press statement in Padang, Tuesday (31/5). ANTARA/FathulAbdi

PADANG - The Padang City Police, West Sumatra, immediately recalled the Deputy Chairman of the local DPRD, IM, in the case of alleged misappropriation of public assistance funds (pokir) amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

"On the first summons, the suspect failed to respond to the summons from the investigators on the grounds that he was on duty outside the region. Therefore, we will send a second summons," said Padang Police Chief Kombes Imran Amir, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, May 31.

He said that on the first call, IM was absent because he had activities outside the city, so he asked for the examination to be postponed until May 27, 2022.

"At that time we thought the suspect was cooperative, but until the promised date, the person concerned has never been present to fulfill the investigator's summons in his status as a suspect," he said.

Therefore, he continued, investigators immediately sent a second summons to IM to continue investigating the case.

"According to the rules, we will send three calls before making any coercive efforts. Therefore, we ask the suspect to cooperate with the investigation," he said.

When asked about IM who is now filing a pretrial lawsuit to the Padang Police against his suspect status, Imran said that pretrial is the right of the community but does not affect legal processing.

"Pretrial is a legal right that can be exercised by citizens and we are facing it, but it will not affect the investigation of the case," he explained.

The case of alleged misappropriation of one of the Padang DPRD leaders has been handled by the Padang Police since April 2021 after receiving a public report.

The report stated that there was an alleged misappropriation of one of the legislators in the Padang DPRD, so that an investigation was carried out, until IM was named a suspect in May 2022.

The thought fund that was disbursed in 2020 became a problem because it was suspected that IM had not given it properly to the recipient community.

The case is an alleged misappropriation of the Padang DPRD Pikir funds which were issued in the 2020 fiscal year as public assistance in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.