KPK Reveals Corruption Mode Acting Mayor Of Pekanbaru: Cut Budget To Change Money

Acting Mayor of Pekanbaru Risnandar Mahawa, Pekanbaru Regional Secretary Indra Pomi Nasution and Acting Head of General Section of the Pekanbaru Regional Secretariat Novin Karmila became suspects (DOK Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has officially named Pekanbaru Mayor Risnandar Mahiva, Pekanbaru Regional Secretary Indra Pomi Nasution, and Acting Head of the General Section of the Pekanbaru Regional Secretariat Novin Karmila as suspects. The three of them wore orange vests after being caught in a hand arrest operation (OTT) on Monday, December 2.

Deputy Chairperson of the KPK, Nurul Ghufron, revealed that they were suspects in connection with the cut in the money change budget at the General Section of the Regional Secretariat of Pekanbaru City. This incident is said to have occurred since July 2024 or two months since Risnandar held his position.

"(The cuts, ed) are for the benefit of RM as Acting Mayor of Pekanbaru and IPN as Secretary of Pekanbaru City," Ghufron said in a press conference, Wednesday morning, December 4.

Ghufron said that Novin as the Acting Head of the General Section of the Pekanbaru City Regional Secretariat, assisted by his staff, Mariya Ulfa and Tengku Suhaila, recorded money in and out.

"NK also plays a role in depositing money to RM and IPN through the aide to the Mayor of Pekanbaru," he said.

Not only that, the KPK also suspects that Risnandar will receive a share from the addition of the Regional Secretariat budget for eating and drinking in November 2024. This money comes from the 2024 regional revenue and expenditure budget (APBD).

"From this addition, it is suspected that the Acting Mayor received a quota of Rp. 2.5 billion," explained Ghufron.

As a result of his actions, the three suspects are now being held at the KPK detention center for 20 days and can be extended according to the needs of investigators. Ghufron said investigators would continue to explore the flow of other money.

"KPK continues to explore and develop investigations into this case, including other parties suspected of being involved and may also receive the flow of money," he concluded.