KPK Reveals Extortion Of Detentions Has Occurred Since 2019, Starting From A Meeting In Tebet

KPK Investigation Director Asep Guntur Rahayu/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that illegal levies (extortion) of detention centers began with a meeting at a cafe around the Tebet area, South Jakarta in 2019. At that time, the position of Head of the Detention Center (Karutan) was still held by Deden Rochendi as the executor of the task.

KPK Director of Investigation Asep Guntur said that at that time Deden met Hengki, Muhammad Ridwan, Ramadhan Ubaidillah A., and Ricky Rachmawanto who were prison officials.

"The meeting was held by DR, who at that time served as Acting Head of the Rutan, HK, MR, RUA, and RR branches in order to appoint and rule MR as the head of the KPK branch detention center at Pomdam Jaya Guntur, MHA as the head of the village at the KPK branch detention center at the Red and White Building, and SH as the head of the KPK branch detention center at the ACLC Building," Asep said at a press conference at the KPK Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Friday, March 15.

Ridwan, Ramadhan Ubaidillah, and Ricky are tasked with collecting illegal levies from detainees. They do not immediately ask the perpetrators of corruption one by one but through the coordinator of prisoners or corting.

It was Hengki who appointed who the detainees were coring. Asep said this was a personal initiative which was then continued by Achmad Fauzi when he served as Head of the KPK Detention Center.

Asep said that the withdrawal of this money was intended so that prisoners would get exclusive facilities. "In the form of accelerating the isolation period, services using cellphones and power banks, to inspection information," he said.

"Meanwhile, prisoners who do not or are late in depositing are given uncomfortable treatment, including detention rooms being locked from outside, violations, and reducing sports rations and receiving more guard rations and hygiene pickets," continued Asep.

The amount of extortion money handed over by the detainees was various, ranging from Rp. 300 thousand to Rp. 20 million. The handover is made in cash or through a holding bank account controlled by the lurah and corting.

Furthermore, this money was distributed in various amounts. Achamd Fauzi and Ristanta each received Rp. 10 million, while the commanders and ordinary officers received Rp. 500 thousand to Rp. 1 million.

"In the 2019-2023 period, the amount of money received by HK et al is around Rp. 6.3 billion and will still be investigated and re-investigated for the flow of money and its use," said Asep.

There are currently 15 people detained in the prison extortion case, including Achmad Fauzi. They are suspected of violating Article 12 letter e of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning the 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 in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) to 1 of the Criminal Code.