KPK Opens Opportunity To Arrest Mbak Ita And Her Husband After Mangkir 2 Times

KPK Spokesperson Tessa Mahardika/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has the opportunity to arrest the Mayor of Semarang Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu or Mbak Ita and her husband, Alwin Basri who also serves as Chairman of Commission D of the Central Java Provincial DPRD.

This was conveyed by KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardhika when asked about the absence of Mbak Ita and her husband today, Friday, January 17. This is the second summons in his status as a suspect in alleged corruption within the Semarang City Government (Pemkot).

"As is known, if it has been carried out twice if the status of a witness, a forced effort will be made by bringing a warrant to bring him. If his status as a suspect can be issued a warrant for arrest," Tessa told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Friday, January 17.

Even so, investigators have not yet determined the steps taken. Tessa only said that so far there has been a request for a postponement of the examination from Mbak Ita or Alwin.

Mbak Ita, continued Tessa, reasoned that she could not fulfill the summons because there was already a scheduled agenda. Meanwhile, Alwin asked for a postponement because he was making pretrial preparations.

"Investigators, in this case, are still assessing whether these reasons are appropriate and reasonable and acceptable," he said.

"... But we return the discretion to investigators and we are waiting for further developments," continued Tessa.

Previously reported, the KPK had detained two suspects in a corruption case within the Semarang City Government (Pemkot), Central Java on Friday, January 17. They are Martono who is the Chairman of the Association of Indonesian National Construction Implementers (Gapensi) of Semarang City and Rachmat Djangkar.

Martono was detained for allegedly participating in receiving gratuities together with the Mayor of Semarang Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu alias Mbak Ita and her husband, Alwin Basri who also serves as Chairman of Commission D of the Central Java Provincial DPRD.

Meanwhile, Rachmat was detained for allegedly giving bribes related to the procurement of tables and elementary school chairs at the Semarang City Education Office.

As for this case, three alleged corruption cases are suspected and are being investigated. The details are the procurement of goods and services at the Semarang City Government in 2023-2024, the alleged extortion of civil servants related to incentives for collecting taxes and levies in the Semarang City area as well as the alleged receipt of gratuities in 2023-2024.

KPK investigators have also conducted searches in various locations, including in the cities of Semarang, Kudus, and Salatiga. From this forced effort, documents and cash worth Rp1 billion were found; 9,650 euros; as well as dozens of watch units suspected of being linked to this case.