KPK Calls Bengkulu Governor Wearing Polantas Jacket For Camiflasing To Avoid Masses

Deputy Chairperson of the KPK Alexander Marwata at the KPK's Red and White Building, Sunday, November 24, 2024 (Diah Ayu/VOI).

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that the Governor of Bengkulu Rohidin Mersyah had worn a green jacket from Traffic Police officers or Traffic Police to camouflage.

He only wore it when he was brought to the Bengkulu Police Headquarters after being caught in a hand arrest operation (OTT) and when he was about to be taken to the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

This was conveyed by the Director of Investigation of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu in response to a video circulating Rohidin wearing a police jacket and a hat and mask to cover his face. He said, at that time many people came to the Bengkulu Police Headquarters and looked for the governor's whereabouts.

"The situation that morning, many RA sympathizers had gathered who surrounded the Polresta there. For security reasons, we are looking for several ways," Asep said in a press conference broadcast on the KPK's YouTube, Sunday night, November 24.

Seeing this condition, the anti-corruption commission team and the Bengkulu Police then racked their brains to ensure the safety of all parties. Including Rohidin who has been arrested.

"Don't let the demonstrators take it on the road and others and the most wanted is Mr. RM. That's why it was then loaned a traffic vest in order to camouflage so that it wouldn't be targeted by the people there," he said.

"So it was not used during the examination but when it came out and was in the crowd. After that, until here, the colleagues saw no longer using (polant jacket, ed). It was in the context of camouflage. In the context of camouflage for security," continued Asep.

As previously reported, the KPK held a hand arrest operation (OTT) in Bengkulu Province on Saturday, November 23 and brought eight people for questioning.

Then, three people were named as suspects, namely Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah, Bengkulu Provincial Secretary (Sekda) Isnan Fajri and Evriansyah alias Anca who are the Adc Governor of Bengkulu.

When the OTT was carried out, investigators found IDR 7 billion in rupiah currency denominations, US dollars, and Singapore dollars. Furthermore, the suspects will be detained for the next 20 days and will be extended according to the rules and needs of investigators.

The three suspects are suspected of violating Article 12 letter e and Article 12B in Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended in Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 55 of the Criminal Code.