Tuding KPK 'Security' Sudewo, Representative Of Pati Residents: Don't Blame If We Are Angry

Residents of Pati Central Java during a demonstration at the KPK Building, Jakarta (Tsa Tsia/VOI)

Representative of Pati residents, Supriyono alias Botok accused the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) of securing the Regent Pati Sudewa alias Sudewo so that he has not been named a suspect in the bribery case for the construction of a railway line at the Director General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub).

This was conveyed by Supriyono alias Botok as the field coordinator of the United Pati Society Alliance who visited the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta. They took action after taking seven buses and 350 residents were present.

"Why haven't the KPK named a suspect so far? Because so far the KPK has not investigated, has not developed. But it is indicated that Sudewo is free from the snares of the law," Supriyono told reporters at the location.

Supriyono said that Sudewo's involvement was actually clear. Moreover, the Gerindra politician returned the money to the KPK in the middle of the case.

So, Supriyono urged the KPK to immediately name Sudewo as a suspect. "It can't be like that for the KPK. I said earlier, if the KPK is not upright, don't blame the people of Pati, they will be angry," he said.

"Don't blame Pati for burning. Yesterday, the 13th. I have subsided the people of Pati. The district pavilion wants to be burned, I will subside. The DPR wants to be burned, I will subside," continued Supriyono.

As for this case, Sudewo was questioned by the KPK on Wednesday, August 27. He was examined as a witness in the bribery case for the construction of a railway line at the Director General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub).

"I was summoned, asked for information as a witness. All my questions answered honestly and as they were," Sudewo told reporters.

Sudewo admitted that the question material was the same as the examination a few years ago, namely the money he received. He claims that the receipt has nothing to do with the DJKA case.

"That it is income money from the DPR RI, everything is detailed, there is income, income, there is a reduction," he said.

Sudewo then rushed out of the area of the anti-corruption commission building. He was accompanied by several people, including his aide.

Arriving outside the building, Sudewo then rushed up into the white Toyota Alphard which was waiting for him. There is no statement whatsoever

Meanwhile, KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said that Sudewo was being investigated regarding the DJKA project which was colored by bribery practices. "This includes his knowledge of the flow of money in this case," said Budi on a separate occasion.

The KPK previously agreed that Sudewo had returned the money he received related to the alleged DJKA bribery. However, this return does not mean that he is forgiven.

"It's true, as stated at the trial, it has been returned," said Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu to reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, quoted on Friday, August 14.

Asep said Article 4 of the Anti-Corruption Law said that the refund did not erase the crime that had been committed. Meanwhile, Sudewo is suspected of having participated in receiving a commitment fee in this case and it was revealed at the trial in November 2023.

Furthermore, the KPK said that Sudewo was suspected of playing DJKA projects in a number of areas. "The role is not only in Solo Balapan-Kadipiro," said Asep, who is also the Director of KPK Investigations.

"So we are still waiting because this must be complete. So the person concerned (Sudewo, ed) is not only in that project, so in almost all projects there is a role," he concluded.