Kapuas Regent And Wife Become KPK Prisoners For Cutting Civil Servant Money And Receiving Bribes

The KPK has named Kapuas Regent Ben Brahim S Bahat and his wife Ary Egahni as suspects in cutting civil servants payments in Kapuas on Tuesday, March 28. (Tsa Tsia-VOI)

JAKARTA - Kapuas Regent Ben Brahim S. Bahat and his wife who are members of the House of Representatives Commission III Ary Egahni officially have an orange dream. This couple became suspects in cutting payments for civil servants (PNS) in Kapuas, Central Kalimantan and accepting bribes.

"For the needs of the investigation team, the investigative team detained the suspects," said Deputy Chairperson of the KPK Johanis Tanak to reporters at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday, March 28.

This detention will be carried out for the first 20 days at the KPK Detention Center at the Red and White Building. Ben and Ary were detained from March 28 to April 16.

In this case, Ben as Regent of Kapuas for two terms is suspected of receiving facilities and money from Regional and Private Work Units (SKPD).

"While AE as the wife and member of the DPR is also suspected of actively interfering in the government process, among others, ordering several SKPD heads to meet their personal needs in the form of giving money and luxury goods," Johanis explained.

Johanis said the source of the money came from the official budget post at the Kapuas Regency Government SKPD. Meanwhile, its use is related to the operational costs of both when contesting politics.

"We use BBSB, among others, for operational costs when participating in the Kapuas Regent election, the election for the Governor of Central Kalimantan including for the participation of AE, who is the wife of BSBB in the 2019 DPR legislative election," he said.

In addition, Ben is also suspected of accepting bribes related to the processing of plantation location permits. "Regarding the amount of money received by BBSB and AE so far, the amount is around Rp. 8.7 billion, which includes paying two survey institutions," said Johanis.

The amount of this money can still increase because the anti-corruption commission is still moving. Next, the KPK also revealed that there were other requests for the private sector to prepare the masses when competing in the election for regents, governorial elections, and legislative elections.

As a result of their actions, Ben and Ary were suspected of violating Article 12 letter f and Article 11 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) to 1 of the Criminal Code.