KPK Suspects There Will Be A Meeting And Submission Of Money To Lobby For The Management Of The Muna Regency PEN Fund

Head of KPK News Section Ali Fikri (Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that there was a meeting conducted by the suspect in the bribery case for the management of the national economic recovery fund (PEN) in Muna Regency. This allegation was investigated from six witnesses who were examined on Monday, July 26.

Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri said the six witnesses were former Director General of Regional Finance at the Ministry of Home Affairs Syarifuddin; employee of PT SMI Persero, Erdian Dharmaputra; Team Leader of Regional Financing of PT SMI, Ery Agusta Dwi Hartito; teller of PT Sejahtera Valasindo Abadi, Khoe Sian Sin; HR Department Hotel Astika Victor Arie Saputro; and Finance Hotel Aston Kuningan Mariska.

"The witnesses were present and their knowledge was investigated, among others, related to the alleged existence of several meetings for the delivery of money as an effort to smooth the lobby for obtaining PEN funds at the Ministry of Home Affairs," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri to reporters in a written statement, Tuesday, July 25.

Ali did not specify the total bribe given at the meeting. However, the KPK suspects that some of the money was handed over in foreign currency.

"In addition, it was also confirmed regarding currency exchange in order to facilitate the delivery process," he said.

Previously reported, the KPK continues to develop a case of alleged bribery of PEN funds. One of the parties who has been charged is the younger brother of Muna La Ode Regent Muhammad Rusman Emba, L. M. Rusdianto Emba.

In the construction of the case, the KPK explained that the younger brother of the Muna Regent was one of the local entrepreneurs in Southeast Sulawesi. Rusdianto is said to have many connections with various parties, including several officials at the local government and central government levels.

He then helped former East Kolaka Regent Andi Merya Nur to take care of PEN funds loans. In return, Rusdianto got a project with a value of tens of billions.