KPK Believes Uncle Birin Is In Indonesia Although Its Existence Is Not Known

KPK Investigation Director Asep Guntur (DOK Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) believes that the Governor of South Kalimantan (Kalsel) Sahbirin Noor or Uncle Birin is still in Indonesia. Moreover, prevention abroad has been requested by the Directorate General of Immigration.

"Yes, so far we are sure that the person concerned is still in Indonesia because we have taken precautions, yes, we have issued prevention," said KPK Investigation Director Asep Guntur to reporters at the ACLC KPK Building, Rasuna Said, South Jakarta, Wednesday, November 6.

Asep confirmed that the KPK was searching for Uncle Birin. The team has visited a number of locations in the South Kalimantan area.

"It's been a search process, we're looking for it. The team is also looking there," he said.

In addition, communication with the Directorate General of Immigration has been carried out by the KPK. Asep said that his party checked whether or not Uncle Birin's activities had passed state crossings.

"Information, we have communicated with the Immigration and others that are not yet at the crossing. It has not crossed," said Asep.

Previously reported, the Governor of South Kalimantan, Sahbirin Noor or Uncle Birin, was unknown after being named a suspect in alleged bribery. This determination was made after the KPK conducted a hand arrest operation (OTT) on Sunday, October 6.

"Until now, the respondent is still searching for the whereabouts of the applicant," said KPK Legal Bureau Team Niar Siregar when responding to Uncle Birin's pretrial lawsuit at the South Jakarta District Court (PN), Tuesday, November 5.

"The Respondent has issued the Order (Sprinkap) 06 and the KPK Leadership Decision Letter regarding the prohibition of traveling abroad but the whereabouts of the applicant are not yet known and are still being searched," he continued.

This reason makes the anti-corruption commission feel there is no need to examine Uncle Birin before determining his legal status. "The determination of the suspect against the applicant is carried out in a absentia," he said.

Even so, Niar said, the determination of the suspect was not carried out without reason. "The Respondent conducted an examination of a number of people whose statements were continuous with evidence obtained by the applicant which further strengthened the involvement and role of the applicant in the alleged corruption crime a quo," he said.