Learning From The OTT Of The Pemalang Regent, PPP Ensures That Candidates For Regional Heads Who Are Promoted Must Have An Anti-Corruption Certificate

President Jokowi (center) flanked by former PPP chairman Romahurmuziy (left) and PPP chairman Suharso Monoarfa (right) during the 2018 National Workshop on PPP DPRD Members in Jakarta. (ANTARA-Revelation PA)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) Suharso Monoarfa confirmed that the regional heads his party will carry must have an anti-corruption certificate. This step is to prevent corrupt practices such as the inactive Pemalang Regent Mukti Agung.

"I've already said, there must be certification for all prospective legislative candidates and even later on, I will be obliged to take our party officials to follow this," Suharso told reporters in Jakarta, quoted on Tuesday, August 16.

He was concerned about the silent operation that ensnared Mukti Agung. However, he confirmed that the regent was not his cadre.

Mukti, continued Suharso, was the regional head he was carrying. "Yes, we are inalillahi wa inalillahi rojiun. Actually, (Mukti Agung, ed) is not a PPP cadre," he said.

Previously reported, Mukti was named a suspect by the KPK along with five other people. They are the Commissioner of PD Aneka Usaha Adi Jumal Wibowo, Acting Secretary of Pemalang Regency Slamet Masduki, Head of BPBD Sugiyanto, Head of Kominfo Pemalang Regency Yanuarius Nitbani, and Head of Pemalang Regency Public Works Department Mohammad Saleh.

The determination of the suspect was carried out after the KPK carried out a hand arrest operation (OTT) on Thursday, August 11.

During the operation, the team found evidence in the form of Rp. 136 million in cash, a Bank Mandiri savings book in the name of Adi Jumal Widodo which contained Rp. 4 billion, a BNI deposit slip in Adi Jumal's name worth Rp. 680 million, and an ATM card in the name of Adi Jumal used by Mukti.

The KPK revealed that Mukti set a tariff of between Rp. 60 million and Rp. 350 million. This is adjusted to the position that the candidate wants to occupy. The money received by Mukti through Adi is thought to have reached Rp4 billion. Furthermore, the money is used for personal purposes.

In addition, Mukti is also suspected of receiving Rp2.1 billion in money from the private sector. However, this allegation will be investigated further by investigators.