KPK Detains Walkot Bima Muhammad Lutfi Corruption Suspect, Allegedly Receives Fee Of IDR 8.6 Billion

KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri in a press conference on the Bima Mayor Muhammad Lutfi/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI case

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained the Mayor of Bima Muhammad Lutfi. He is a suspect in alleged corruption in the procurement of fictitious goods and services for the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing to BPBD Bima.

"The first detention of the MLI suspect for 20 days from October 5, 2023 to October 24, 2023 at the KPK Detention Center," said KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri at a press conference at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, October 6.

Lutfi and one of his core families are suspected of disclosing the project that will be carried out by the Bima City Government around 2019. The initial stage of the consolidation was carried out by requesting documents from various projects at the PUPR Service and the Bima City Government Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).

"The follow-up discussion is that the MLI ordered several officials at the PUPR Service and BPBD of the Bima City Government to prepare various projects that have large budget value and the preparation process is carried out at the official residence of the Mayor of Bima," said Firli.

The value of the project at the PUPR Service and BPBD of the Bima City Government for the 2019 to 2020 Fiscal Year reached tens of billions of rupiah. Then Lutfi unilaterally determined the contractor who was willing to be won in the project work in question.

The auction, continued Firli, was only carried out as a formality. The fact is that the winners of the auction do not meet the qualification of the requirements as stipulated," he said.

Lutfi then received money deposits from contractors which were won in the amount of up to Rp8.6 billion. One of the projects being worked on is the widening of the Nangga Toluwi road as well as the procurement of electricity and PJU for Oi'Foo housing.

"Technically depositing money through bank account transfers in the name of MLI confidants, including family members," said Firli.

In addition to receiving fees, Lutfi is suspected of receiving gratuities from other parties.

"The investigative team certainly continues to explore further," explained Firli.

For his actions, Lutfi is suspected of violating Article 12 letter (i) and/or Article 12B of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.