Using State Facilities, Metro Deputy Mayor Candidates Become Election Criminal Suspects

Candidate for deputy mayor of Metro, Lampung, serial number 2 Qomaru Zaman (ANTARA)

South LaMPUNG - Candidate for deputy mayor of Metro, Lampung, serial number 2 Qomaru Zaman has been named a suspect in alleged election violations. Qomaru Zaman was named a suspect by the Metro City Integrated Law Enforcement Center (Gakkumdu) because of the campaign to use state facilities.

From the results of the investigation by investigators carried out by the Metro City Gakkumdu Center, the candidate for deputy mayor of Metro who is paired with Wahdi Siradjuddin has been officially named a suspect in the election criminal case since Saturday, October 12.

The status of the suspect Qomaru due to the viral video of Qomaru inviting the public to choose himself with the incumbent mayor during the distribution of Metro City Government (Pemkot) basic necessities in September 2024.

In the viral video, Qomaru, who is still the deputy mayor of Metro, gave a speech in socializing activities for the Metro City Government's basic food program social assistance program.

In the video, Qomaru openly invites the public to choose himself along with the Mayor of Metro Wahdi who is back in pairs in the Metro Mayor and Deputy Mayor Election (Pilwalkot).

"We both left a legacy of good historical records in this Metro City, it would be better if we were re-elected. Right? Independence," said Qomaru in the speech.

In the same video, Qomaru also challenges the people who are present to choose himself with Wahdi in the Metro Pilwalkot. In the 1 minute 9 second video, Qomaru Zaman stated that he and Wahdi are committed to bringing the City of Metro to a better place. "God willing, with us, you will be kind, kind, good for a good Metro City," said Qomaru.

Until last Monday, Qomaru did not fulfill the summons for examination sent by Gakkumdu investigators on the grounds of illness and undergoing treatment at the Ahmad Yani Regional General Hospital (RSUD) Metro City.

As a result of the election violations he committed, Qomaru Zaman was charged with Article 188 Number 8 of 2018 concerning Amendments to Law Number 1 of 2015 concerning the Election of Governor, Regent or Mayor and the Second Amendment to Law Number 1 of 2014 concerning Stipulation of Government Regulation Number 1 of 2014 concerning Mayors. The period is threatened with a maximum imprisonment of 6 months.

The head of the Badawi City Bawaslu, Idham, confirmed that Qomaru Zaman was named a suspect as a result of the Gakkumdu Center investigation into the viral video. "Yes, that's right, related to the video circulating during the activities of the Metro City Government in socializing social assistance," said Badawi.

According to Badawi, his party had summoned Qomaru Zaman, but did not attend due to illness and undergoing treatment at the Ahmad Yani Metro Hospital.

"Today we schedule to summon Pak Qomaru, but this information Mr. Qomaru is sick. We are still waiting for an official letter of illness from the legal advisor and from Pak Qomaru's family," said Badawi.

Allegations of election crimes committed by Qomaru Zaman are currently entering the investigation stage by the Metro City Gakkumdu. Gakkumdu investigators will again call Qomaru Zaman to be examined as suspects.