East Kalimantan Regent Arrested, Surya Paloh Asks Commission III To Summon KPK Regarding OTT

Chairman of the Central Executive Board of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, when opening the NasDem party I National Working Meeting at the Claro Hotel, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Friday (8/7/2025). BETWEEN/Darwin

Chairman of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, responded to the steps to pick up his party cadre who is also the Regent of East Kolaka, Abdul Azis, by investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on the sidelines of attending the NasDem Party I National Working Meeting in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

"I instructed the Nasdem faction to ask Commission III (DPR) to summon the KPK in a hearing so that the special OTT terminology (hand arrest operation) can be clarified by us together," said Surya Paloh after opening the NasDem Party National Working Meeting I at the Claro Hotel, Makassar, Friday, August 8.

The statement was in response to previous information that said the East Kolaka Regent (Koltim) Abdul Azis was arrested by the KPK in OTT in Southeast Sulawesi. In fact, Abdul Azis was in Makassar City attending the NasDem Party Meeting I on Thursday (7/8).

This was then addressed by the NasDem DPP management by conveying that Abdul Azis was at the National Working Meeting arena at the Claro Hotel. Based on the news about the arrest, it is considered as if there was a drama before law enforcement was carried out.

However, Abdul Azis was finally picked up by a team of KPK investigators in Makassar City, then taken to the South Sulawesi Police Headquarters and then flown to the KPK's Red and White Building in Jakarta for further legal handling of the alleged corruption case.

"The Nasdem is sad, the origin is drama first, then law enforcement. After law enforcement, I hope for amnesty later. That's not good either," said Paloh.

He advised NasDem cadres not to immediately react quickly to comment on the issue.

"In internal NasDem, we don't comment too quickly with reactions as if we are defending ourselves. We try to calm this defense first," he said.

In addition, Paloh also questioned the application of the presumption of innocence or presumption of innocence which was considered not enforced in law enforcement in the country.

According to him, the terminology of OTT in the new case is not appropriate. OTT should be an event that occurs in one place (there is a transaction) between the giver and the recipient both violate legal norms.

"However, if one violates the norms in Southeast Sulawesi, let's say the giver and those who receive it in South Sulawesi, what OTT is this? OTT plus," said the politician.

Therefore, Paloh continued, the hearing requested by Commission III of the DPR is expected to provide an explanation to the public regarding the terminology of OTT so as not to cause confusion in the community.

Nevertheless, the NasDem Party still supports pure and wise law enforcement efforts as well as in accordance with wise principles and methods without causing a commotion.

"Precise the law purely, NasDem is there. What's wrong is wrong, but the process must be wisely," he added.