The Corruption Eradication Commission Investigates The Cashflow In The Nurdin Abdullah Case, Including To The Party

Deputy Chairperson of the KPK Alexander Marwata (Photo; KPK Doc)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to investigate the flow of money from the Governor of South Sulawesi, Nurdin Abdullah, who is a suspect in receiving bribes for infrastructure development. Deputy Chairman of the KPK, Alexander Marwata, said investigators were trying to explore the possibility that the money would flow to many parties, including political parties.

"We are currently investigating, the money was received from the project. We haven’t investigated in detail where the flow went to", said Alex at the KPK's Red and White House, Kuningan, Persada, South Jakarta, when confirmed regarding the possible flow of funds to the party, Tuesday, March 2.

He asked all parties to wait for the results of the KPK investigation. Moreover, it is the task of investigators to explore where and for what purposes the bribe from Nurdin was used or channeled.

Even so, Alex said that the money could be used and channeled by Nurdin to sponsors from local businessmen to pay the campaign costs debt. He said the debt was then repaid by awarding project contracts to partners who might support him or the campaign team.

"But everything will definitely be explored at the investigation level. We do not yet know the details of how much he received the money and what the money is for, but it will be revealed later in court", he explained.

It is known that the request for the anti-graft commission to investigate the flow of bribes received by Nurdin was also conveyed by Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Egi Primayoga. He said, with the appointment of the PDIP politician as a suspect in receiving bribes, this should be an entry point for tracing the flow of money to various parties, including the party.

"The KPK needs to trace this matter to prove whether there are other parties who enjoy the money, either individuals or organizations such as political parties. If proven, then these parties deserve to be charged with it", said Egi in his written statement yesterday.

Tracing certain parties, including political parties is important. Given the political costs in elections in Indonesia tend to be expensive and make regional head candidates often receive assistance from businessmen.

This is what causes reciprocation from elected candidates to entrepreneurs and leads to corrupt practices.

As previously reported, Nurdin Abdullah was named a suspect in the case of alleged bribery and gratification related to the procurement of goods and services, licensing, and infrastructure development in the South Sulawesi Provincial Government for the 2020-2021 Budget Year.

Nurdin was named a suspect with the Secretary of the Minister For Public Works and Human Settlements (PUPR) Office of South Sulawesi Province, Edy Rahmat. Meanwhile, the Director of PT Agung Perdana Bulukumba (APB) Agung Sucipto was named a suspect in giving bribes.

In this case, Nurdin as the Governor of South Sulawesi is suspected of accepting bribes and gratuities with a total value of IDR 5.4 billion related to projects within the South Sulawesi Provincial Government. In addition, Nurdin is suspected of receiving a bribe of IDR 2 billion from Agung through Edy. The bribe was given so that Agung could return to work on the project in South Sulawesi for the 2021 budget year.