Typhoon Ginting Suspect, KPK Now Examines Former Mandailing Natal Regent And PUPR Officials In North Sumatra

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo (DOK Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) examined eight witnesses related to the alleged corruption of a road construction project in North Sumatra. One of the things being examined was the former Mandailing Natal Regent, Muhammad Jafar Sukhairi Nasution.

"The examination was carried out at the Medan BPKP office," said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo in a written statement to reporters, Wednesday, July 16.

Apart from Jafar, the KPK also examined Elpi Yanti Sari Harahap as the Acting Head of PUPR Mandailing Natal, Natalina from the Madina PUPR Working Group, and

Also examined by Taufik Lubis (Commissioner of PT Dalihan Natolu), Mariam (Beharana PT Dalihan Natolu), Maskuddin Henri (Director and shareholder of PT Rona Na Mora), and Series Agustina Melinda (Vice Director of PT Dalihan Natolu).

Although he has not detailed the examination material, Budi said that the investigation does not only stop on road projects at the North Sumatra PUPR Service and the PJN Region I Satker, but has the potential to expand to other areas such as Mandailing Natal and Padangsidimpuan City.

"Of course this case will continue to grow. It is possible related to projects in the Mandailing Natal and Padangsidimpuan areas," said Budi.

Previously, the KPK conducted a hand arrest operation (OTT) in North Sumatra on Thursday, June 26. This OTT is related to allegations of bribery in road construction projects.

Five people were later named as suspects. They are Typhoon Obaja Putra Ginting alias Typhoon Ginting (Kadis PUPR North Sumatra Province), Rasul Effendi Siregar (Head of UPTD Gunung Tua/PPK North Sumatra PUPR Service), Heiyanto (PPK Satker PJN Region I North Sumatra), M. Akhirun Efendi Siregar (Managing Director of PT DNG), and M. Rayhan Dulasmi Pilang (Director of PT RN).

Typhoon Ginting was in the spotlight because he was just appointed Head of PUPR North Sumatra by Governor Bobby Nasution on February 24. Previously, he served as Head of the Medan City Public Works Service and was the Acting Secretary of Medan City when Bobby was still Mayor.

Now the five suspects are being held at the KPK detention center for an initial 20 days. Investigators are still investigating the alleged involvement of other parties in this case.