Deputy Chairperson Of The MPR Akbar Supratman Denies Allegations Of Bribery For The Election Of DPD And MPR Leaders

MPRI RI Deputy Chair Abcandra Akbar Supratman during a visit in Palu City (photo: dock. intermediate)

JAKARTA Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI from elements of the Regional Representative Council (DPD), Abcandra Muhammad Akbar Supratman, responded to the issue of alleged bribery in the process of selecting the leadership of the DPD and the deputy chairman of the MPR RI for the 2024 '2029 period. He emphasized that he was not involved in the practice and remained calm in facing the accusations circulating.

"So this is indeed not only a regional issue but also a national issue. Until today, I am still taking it easy because I feel I have not done it," Akbar said during a visit to Palu City, Central Sulawesi, Saturday, February 22.

Akbar emphasized that the support he received to serve as deputy chairman of the MPR RI was purely based on the votes of cross-regional senators and not the results of political transactions. "That can be checked from cross- senator friends," he said.

Previously, allegations of bribery in the election of the leadership of the DPD and deputy chairman of the MPR from the DPD elements emerged after reports were made to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). A former DPD staff named Fitrat Irfan revealed that 95 of the 152 DPD members were suspected of accepting bribes in the process of selecting the chairman of the DPD and the deputy chairman of the MPR.

According to Irfan, the DPD members involved are suspected of receiving a total of 13 thousand US dollars (R212 million), with details of 5 thousand US dollars (Rp 81.5 million) to elect the chairman of the DPD and 8 thousand US dollars (Rp130 million) to elect the deputy chairman of the MPR from the DPD element. He also revealed that the bribes were allegedly distributed door to door or from door to door to room for each senator.

"The indication is that he received the alleged bribery in the election competition for the chairman of the DPD and the deputy chairman of the MPR from the DPD element. It involved 95 DPD members out of a total of 152 people," said Irfan at the KPK's Red and White House, Jakarta, Tuesday 18 February.

In the midst of the emergence of voice recordings indicating allegations of bribery, Akbar emphasized that he did not feel the need to report the recording. "Safe, nothing," he said briefly.

The report submitted by Fitrat Irfan to the KPK adds to the pressure for anti-corruption agencies to immediately investigate this case. The practice of buying and selling votes in the election of the leadership of high-ranking state institutions is not a new issue, but if proven, this could be a political scandal that tarnishes the integrity of the DPD and MPR.

A number of parties urged the KPK to further investigate the alleged flow of funds and ensure whether there were transactions involving senators in the leadership election. With the recording circulating and the confession of the reporter, this case has the potential to be a test for the credibility of the electoral process in the DPD and MPR.

Meanwhile, Akbar Supratman emphasized that he was not involved in this scandal and remains confident that his election as deputy chairman of the MPR RI will take place legally and democratically.