The Mayor Of Batu, Dewanti Rumpoko, Turned Out To Be Investigated By The KPK, But He Only Refused To Talk

Mayor of Batu Dewanti Rumpoko while attending the Batik Festival in Ngaglik, Wednesday, March 24 (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) ensures that they examine witnesses in the case of receiving gratuities, including the Mayor of Batu, East Java, Dewanti Rumpoko. However, during the examination, Dewanti did not provide any information.

"Dewanti Rumpoko, the Mayor of Batu is present. It's just that he is not willing to give testimony as a witness," said Acting KPK spokesperson for prosecution Ali Fikri in a written statement, Wednesday, March 24.

During the interrogation held at the Batu mayor's office, the KPK also asked for information from Yunedi, Dewanti's driver and the Director of PT Tiara Multi Teknik, Yusuf. Both were investigated because they were suspected of receiving gratuities in the form of money from related parties.

Apart from examining the three witnesses, the KPK was originally supposed to examine the Director of PT Borobudur Medecon, Ferryanto Tjokro. However, he was not present and did not provide confirmation.

Mayor of Batu, East Java, Dewanti Rumpoko, admitted that he did not know the schedule for the examination as a witness at the KPK. The KPK previously said that Dewanti was summoned in the case of alleged gratification by the Batu City Government.

Dewanti, who attended the Batik Festival in Kelurahan Ngaglik, Batu City, said that he did not have an inspection schedule.

"What examination? Yes, there, asked the one who examined it. Mother was not questioned, asked the KPK investigator," Dewanti said as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, March 24.

Previously, the KPK had examined a number of witnesses regarding the alleged gratification within the Batu City Government on Monday 22 March.

In this case, the KPK conducted a series of searches including the Batu City Government office and Dewanti Rumpoko's official residence.

In 2017, KPK investigators charged Batu Mayor Eddy Rumpoko in a hand arrest operation in September. Eddy was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison by the Supreme Court's appeal panel in 2019.

In this case, Eddy Rumpoko allegedly received a bribe worth Rp. 500 million related to the capital expenditure project and machinery for procurement of furniture at the Batu City Government, for the 2017 budget year amounting to Rp. 5.26 billion.