KPK Smear Rhoma Irama's Child Concerning Payment For Ridho Rhoma's Concert In The Banjar Mayor's Campaign

Illustrated (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators have examined Rhoma Irama's son, Rommy Syahrial. He was examined as a witness in the case of alleged bribery related to infrastructure work projects at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) office of Banjar City in 2012-2017.

Acting KPK spokesperson for prosecution, Ali Fikri, said that in this investigation, investigators were questioning Rommy regarding the payment for his younger brother Ridho Rhoma's appearance during the Banjar election campaign.

At that time, Ridho became one of the artists filling the campaign for the current Mayor of Banjar, Ade Uu Sukaesih, who is the wife of the former Mayor of Banjar, Herman Sutrisno.

"Romy Syahrial, his knowledge is deepened regarding the alleged payment of a sum of money to several performers during the Pilkada Campaign by parties related to this case", Ali said in his statement to reporters quoted on Tuesday, February 16.

After the investigation was carried out on Monday, February 15 yesterday at the KPK's Red and White House, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Rommy also admitted this. He said he was the party contacted by the Ade Uu campaign team for her younger brother's appearance.

"This is a matter of calling my younger brother (Ridho Rhoma, red) to a show in Banjar City, so the campaign for the nomination of the wife of the former mayor. The former mayor is Herman Sutrisno, now his wife is nominating Banjar mayor, her name is Ade Uu. Her campaign calls for Ridho (Rhoma), but contacted me", Rommy told reporters.

However, he claims he does not know the amount of money paid for his younger brother's appearance, including the source of the money. This is because Rommy admits that he only bridged the invitation to his younger brother.

"Nominally I don't know, but I just contacted Ridho so he could perform in Banjar. I left it to Ridho's team at that time, just bridging", he said.

Reportedly, the KPK is investigating the alleged corruption case related to the infrastructure work project at the Banjar City PUPR Office in 2012-2017. But so far, the KPK has not announced in detail the construction of the case, including the suspects.

Currently, investigators are still collecting evidence by examining witnesses and conducting searches in several places in Banjar City. One of the locations that were searched was the Mayor of Banjar's pavilion.