PDIP Considers The Search For The KPK To Disrupt The Electability Of The Mayor Of Semarang, Mbak Ita, Accusing Of Bombing Efforts

Semarang Mayor Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu/DOK PHOTO via Instagram @munitasmg

Deputy Chairperson of the Semarang City PDI-P DPC Supriyadi said the search conducted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) related to allegations of corruption within the Semarang City Government affected the electability of Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu as Mayor.

"Automatically it will affect the incumbent electability whose survey results are currently increasing," Supriyadi said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, July 22.

KPK investigators conducted searches in a number of regional apparatus agencies and organizations (OPD) within the Semarang City Government since Wednesday (17/7).

The search was carried out by KPK investigators at a number of OPD offices of the Semarang City Government, both in the City Hall complex and the Pandanaran building.

Not only searching, KPK investigators also asked for information from a number of OPD leaders of the Semarang City Government.

Supriyadi, who is also the former chairman of the Semarang City DPRD, questioned the search which is close to the momentum of regional head elections (pilkada), which happened to be followed by Ita, Hevearita's nickname as the incumbent.

"If you want to investigate corruption in the city of Semarang, it should be long ago, not only approaching the pilkada process. This makes people wonder why it should approach the regional elections, causing a lot of speculation," he said.

However, he still supports the KPK's steps in the process of investigating alleged corruption within the Semarang City Government.

"So, we respect the legal process from the KPK. Let the KPK work to investigate. When there is a criminal act of corruption, let it be each other's risk. We continue to support the efforts of the KPK," he said.

However, Supriyadi regretted the reports that Ita as the Mayor of Semarang had been named a suspect.

In fact, he assessed that there were efforts to frame Ita's electability, which so far has the highest number of surveys as candidates that have the potential to advance in the 2024 Semarang City Election.

"This is an effort to frame his electability. As a PDIP cadre, I feel a loss, because Mrs. Ita has the highest electability, it is continued to be framed as a suspect. Even though she has not been officially named a suspect," said Supriyadi.

The KPK stated that the search was related to the handling of three cases of alleged corruption within the Semarang City Government, including the procurement of goods and services within the Semarang City Government in 2023-2024, the alleged extortion of civil servants for incentives for collecting taxes and levies in the Semarang City area, as well as the alleged receipt of gratuities in 2023 2024.

KPK investigators have also named a number of parties as suspects in the case, but have not provided further information regarding the identities of the parties.

KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardhika Sugiarto said four people had been prevented from traveling abroad in connection with the investigation of the alleged corruption case.

The four people who were prohibited from traveling abroad, consisting of two people came from state officials and the rest were private parties.