Received Information From Regent Budhi Sarwono Not Reporting All His Assets, KPK Conducts Investigation

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said it would search for other assets belonging to the inactive Banjarnegara Regent Budhi Sarwono, who is a suspect in the alleged corruption case in infrastructure procurement.

This was done because it was suspected that Budhi had other assets that were not recorded in the State Administrators Wealth Report (LHKPN).

"We make sure that all information we receive will be confirmed by both witnesses and suspects," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Affairs Ali Fikri told reporters, Thursday, September 9.

However, he ensured that the search for wealth was not new because it was often carried out by the KPK. Later, if it is found that there are assets obtained in a way that is not in accordance with the rules, Budhi can be subject to other articles, including the crime of money laundering (TPPU).

"Of course we will investigate and further explore the relationship with the suspect. The application of other articles is possible as long as there is sufficient evidence," said Ali.

As previously reported, the inactive Banjarnegara Regent Budhi Sarwono has a total wealth of Rp. 23,812,717,301. He reported his assets on January 25, 2021 for the 2020 reporting year.

In detail, Budhi has assets in the form of two parcels of land worth Rp. 1,292,495,014 located in Banjarnegara Regency.

Furthermore, he also has other movable assets worth Rp. 54,200,000, marketable securities of Rp. 10,826,607,919 and cash and cash equivalents of Rp. 11,639,414,368. Budhi is noted to have no debt so that his total wealth is Rp. 23,812,717,301.

However, in the report of his wealth, Budhi was noted to have no means of transportation and machinery.

In the case of alleged corruption in infrastructure procurement, Budhi was named a suspect along with Kedy Afandi (KA), who was the former head of his success team during the election. He is alleged to have received a commitment fee of around Rp. 2.1 billion from the contractors.

The receipt of the money began when in September 2017, Budhi was inaugurated as the Regent of Banjarnegara. After being official, he ordered Kedy as his confidant to lead a coordination meeting attended by representatives of the construction service association in Banjarnegara Regency.

The meeting, said Firli, was held in a restaurant. As directed by Budhi, Kedy conveyed that the project work package in Banjarnegara Regency would be relaxed by increasing the estimated price by 20 percent of the project value.

In addition, companies that wish to acquire infrastructure procurement projects are required to provide a tribute or commitment fee of 10 percent of the project value. After the first meeting, then another meeting was held at Budhi Sarwono's private house. At that time, representatives of the Gapensi Banjarnegara association were present and Budhi again conveyed what Kedy had said.

"Directly BS conveyed, among others, increasing HPS by 20 percent from the current price with a further distribution of 10 percent for BS as a commitment fee and 10 percent as partner profits," said Firli.

Not only asking for a fee commitment, Budhi was also named a suspect because he played an active role in the implementation of the infrastructure work auction. Firli said, the Banjarnegara Regent participated directly in distributing work packages at the PUPR Service, including family companies, and arranging the auction winners.

Meanwhile, Kedy is always monitored and directed by Budhi, especially when making arrangements for the division of work. This is intended so that companies that are members of the Bumi Redjo group can splash out on procurement projects.