KPK Names 21 New Suspects In The East Java APBD Grant Fund Bribery Case

KPK Spokesperson Tessa Mahardika/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named 21 new suspects in the bribery case for grant funds for community groups or pokmas from the East Java Provincial Budget for the 2019-2022 Fiscal Year. The determination was made after investigators developed a case that ensnared the former Deputy Chairperson of the East Java DPRD, Sahat Tua, P. Simanjuntak.

"The KPK has named 21 suspects (with details, ed) namely four suspected recipients, 17 others as suspected givers," said KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika to reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Friday, July 12.

Tessa said the four suspects who received bribes consisted of three state administrators and one staff. "Meanwhile, the 17 suspects who gave 15 of them are private parties and the other two are state officials," he said.

The determination of the suspect is based on a warrant for the start of the investigation (sprindik) which was issued on July 5. However, Tessa has not been able to detail the suspects and their actions.

He only explained that investigators were still searching for evidence such as searching a number of locations. This forced effort was carried out since last July 8 and targeted a number of places.

In detail, there are several houses in Surabaya, Pasuruan, Probolinggo, Tulungagung, Gresik, as well as on Madura Island such as Bangkalan Regency, Sampang Regency, and Sumenep Regency where investigators have visited them.

From this search, investigators found around Rp380 million in cash, documents related to the management of grant funds, and receipts as well as records of receipts of billions of rupiah in cash.

In addition, investigators also found evidence of deposits to banks, evidence of using money for the purchase of houses, copies of house certificates and other documents as well as electronic items in the form of cellphones and other storage media. "It is suspected that it has links to cases that are being investigated and will continue to be investigated by investigators," explained Tessa.

Previously reported, the bribery case of community group grants was investigated by the KPK after carrying out a hand arrest operation (OTT) at the end of December 2022. At that time, Sahat Tua Simanjuntak, who is the Deputy Chair of the East Java Provincial DPRD, was also transported to the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

He is suspected of accepting a bribe of Rp. 5 billion to manage the allocation of funds for community groups. Sahat at that time was a suspect along with three other people.

As a result of his actions, Sahat was sentenced to nine years in prison. He is also required to pay a fine of Rp. 1 billion, subsidiary to six months in prison.