Allegations Of Corruption, Central Java Police Denies Summoning 176 Kelapa Villages In Karanganyar Regarding Political Issues

Director of Special Criminal Investigation at the Central Java Police, Kombes Pol.Dwi Subagio (ANTARA)

The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus) of the Central Java Police has opened their voices regarding the simultaneous summons of 176 village heads in Karanganyar who had been questioned by the Indonesia Police Watch (IPW).

The Director of Special Criminal Investigation (Dirreskrimsus) of the Central Java Police, Kombes Pol Dwi Subagyo, explained that the investigation began in April 2023 after his party received reports from the public regarding the implementation of work that did not meet the specifications and allegations of cutting provincial financial assistance funds (banprov) by three villages.

This investigation is related to allegations of corruption in the implementation of rural facilities and infrastructure (sarpras) projects in three districts, namely Wonogiri, Karanganyar, and Klaten. Funds for this project come from provincial financial assistance (banprov) in the 2020-2021 period.

"In April 2023, we received complaints from residents regarding the alleged misuse of village aspiration funds from the province and there was also work that did not match specifications. Therefore, we started an investigation to verify the veracity of the report," said Kombes Dwi, Tuesday, November 28.

He added that no village heads had been examined. Until now, Sub-Directorate III of the Central Java Police Ditreskrimsus has examined 13 people to obtain clarification and asked for several documents related to this case.

"We have also conducted investigations at several locations related to the alleged corruption. Still under investigation, we will see who will be examined next," he added.

Kombes Pol Dwi Subagyo also emphasized that the handling of this case and did not involve political elements in the process.

"We want to emphasize that this investigation has been running since April 2023 and has nothing to do with political or election issues," he said.

Previously, IPW questioned the steps taken by the Central Java Police to summon 176 village heads in Karanganyar through the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus). According to the Chairman of Indonesia Police Watch, Sugeng Teguh Santoso, this is the first time the regional police have summoned 176 village heads in Central Java regarding the responsibility of village funds.

"We suspect that there is a political motive or possible criminal act that wants to be revealed. Examination of alleged corruption can put psychological pressure on the village head being examined. Another striking peculiarity is that the notification letter regarding the alleged crime committed by the village head is not directly conveyed to the person concerned," said Sugeng.

Sugeng assessed that he also noted the oddities in the process of notifying the alleged crime committed by the village head. On the other hand, a letter requesting information and documents was sent by the Central Java Police Ditreskrimsus to the Head of the Karanganyar Regency Community and Village Empowerment Service, not directly to the person concerned.