KPK Deactivates 2 Detention Centers As A Result Of Extortion Cases, Prisoners Moved

Head of KPK News Section Ali Fikri (Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has temporarily suspended two detention centers at Pomdam Jaya Guntur and the Naval Military Police Center (Puspomal). This step was taken after an alleged illegal levy (extortion) that fired 66 security officers.

"Especially for the POM AL and Pomdam Jaya Guntur, they are temporarily disabled," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri to reporters quoted on Monday, April 29.

Ali said all of his detainees who were placed in the two detention centers were transferred. However, he did not specify how many.

"Our detainees moved to the Red and White Branch and C1 Branch. That's technically", he said.

Ali said the two detention centers would be deactivated until the number of security personnel was sufficient. Moreover, the anti-corruption commission has only received 214 new employees but they have not worked because they still have to undergo induction first.

"Later in the future, when the existing personnel are adequate, of course, we will reactivate the detention centers of the two branches," he said.

Previously reported, there were 15 people who were suspected of extortion in the KPK detention center. They include the Head of the KPK Detention Center Achmad Fauzi, former Acting KPK Karutan Deden Rochendi and Ristanta, and Hengki who are ex-Kamtib Detention Centers.

The suspects allegedly managed to collect up to IDR 6.3 billion for four years from 2019-2023.

The money was obtained from detainees in corruption cases with various amounts ranging from Rp. 300 thousand to Rp. 20 million. The handover is carried out directly or through a holding bank account controlled by the lurah and corting.

Prisoners then get exclusive facilities after giving money. One of them can use a cellphone or power bank.

Meanwhile, those who do not pay or are late in depositing receive uncomfortable treatment. Among them, the detention room is locked from the outside, violations and reductions in sports rations, and gets a guard quota and more hygiene pickets.

Then, the anti-corruption commission also imposed disciplinary penalties on employees involved. A total of 66 people were fired after receiving a decree.