Minister Of Home Affairs Tito Appoints Rosjonsyah As Acting Governor Of Bengkulu

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian when giving information to media crews at the Office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Jakarta, Monday (11/25/2024). (ANTARA/Narda Margaretha Sinambela)

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian appointed Deputy Governor of Bengkulu Rosjonsyah to carry out the governor's duties.

The appointment of Rosjonsyah as the acting Governor of Bengkulu followed Rohidin Mersyah who was caught in the Corruption Eradication Commission (OTT KPK)'s Hand Catch Operation on Saturday, November 23, 2024.

"Last night I issued a decision, as soon as I received positive news from the KPK that he was detained, we have issued a decree for his deputy to be the governor's executor," Tito said when met by the media crew at the Ministry of Home Affairs Office, Jakarta, Antara, Monday, November 25.

He explained that Rosjonsyah's appointment as the executor of the Bengkulu Governor's duties is in accordance with Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government which was revised to Law Number 9 of 2015.

"The law on Regional Government Number 9 of 2015 in terms of regional heads being disabled, can resign and then criminal cases and be detained," he explained.

Meanwhile, when asked about Rohidin's candidacy status in the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada, Tito said that this matter was under the authority of the KPU and Bawaslu.

"Well, that's a matter for the KPU and Bawaslu," Tito concluded.

Previously, the KPK arrested Rohidin and seven other Bengkulu officials in a number of locations on Saturday, November 23, 2024.

The anti-corruption agency said Rohidin asked a number of his subordinates to provide money originating from the Bengkulu Province Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) to fund his candidacy again.

During the arrest, the KPK also confiscated around Rp 7 billion in various currencies.

Three people were named as suspects and then detained by the KPK. They are Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah, Bengkulu Provincial Secretary, Isnan Fajri and Bengkulu Adjutant, Evriansyah alias Anca. Meanwhile, five other people were sent home.

Rohidin Mersyah is currently contesting the upcoming 2024 Pilkada. He is paired with Meriani. The candidate pair advanced for the Bengkulu gubernatorial election with the support of the Golkar, Hanura, PPP and PKS parties.

In the Bengkulu Pilkada, Rohidin-Meriani will challenge the Helmi Hasan-Mian candidate pair carried by the joint PKB political parties, Gerindra, PDIP, PAN, and the Democratic Party.