The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Regrets The Acceptance Of Unilian Student Candidates Through Chancellor Trustees

KPK officers brought the Chancellor of Lampung University (Unila) Karomani (center) as a suspect to be presented at a press conference on Sunday, August 21. (Between-Sigid K)

KPK officers brought the Chancellor of Lampung University (Unila) Karomani (center) as a suspect to be presented at a press conference on Sunday, August 21. (Between-Sigid K)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that there was a special request through the inactive Chancellor of the University of Lampung (Unila) Karomani to pass certain prospective students. This allegation was investigated from nine witnesses, including members of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the PDIP faction, Utut Adianto, who was questioned today, Friday, November 25.

"The investigative team has finished examining witnesses," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri to reporters, Friday, November 25.

Apart from Utut, continued Ali, the witnesses who were also examined were private employees, namely Mustopa Endi Saputra Hasibuan and traders, Uum Marlia. Then on Thursday, November 24, six witnesses were examined.

Those examined at that time were Untirta Chancellor M. Komaruddin; member of the Indonesian Parliament Tamanuri; PNS named Helmy Fitriawan, Fatah Sulaiman, and Sulpakar; and a private employee named Nizamuddin.

"All witnesses fulfilled the summons of the Investigative Team and their knowledge was investigated, among others, related to the alleged request to be passed by new students through the intermediary of KRM suspects," said Ali.

Ali also said that the witnesses were also asked about giving money to Karomani. However, it did not specify how much the total money was.

"In addition, further investigation is related to the alleged handover of money to KRM suspects," he said.

In this case, the KPK named four suspects. The determination began with a hand arrest operation (OTT) carried out in Lampung, Bandung, and Bali.

The suspects involved in this case are the Chancellor of the University of Lampung 2020-2024 Karomani; Vice Chancellor I for Academic Affairs of Lampung University Heryandi; Senate Chair of Lampung University Muhammad Basri; and private Andi Desfiandi.

Karomani is suspected of setting a price for prospective new students on campus with a range of Rp. 100 million to Rp. 350 million while carrying out Independent Selection to Enter Lampung University (Simanila).

This request was made after Heryandi and Muhammad Basri personally selected the ability of parents of students to pay.

From his actions, Karomani allegedly managed to collect Rp603 million from a lecturer named Mualimin. Furthermore, he used the money he received for personal purposes amounting to Rp575 million.

Meanwhile, from Muhammad Basri and Budi Sutomo, who are the Head of the Planning and Public Relations Bureau of the University of Lampung, it is suspected that the total money received by Karomani reached Rp4.4 billion. This money was later transferred to deposit savings, gold bars, and some were still in the form of cash.