KPK Alleges Former Banjarnegara Regent Gives Directions For Giving Project Work Fees

Banjarnegara Regent Budhi Sarwono (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that the inactive Banjarnegara Regent, Budhi Sarwono, has directly given direction to private parties who will work on various projects in his government area.

This allegation was investigated by summoning a number of witnesses, including Budhi Sarwono's aide, Wahyudiono, on Wednesday, October 27.

"Located at the Central Java Police Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus) Office, Semarang City, Central Java, the investigative team has examined a number of witnesses for the suspect BS et al," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Ali Fikri told reporters, Thursday, October 28.

Apart from Wahyudiono, investigators also summoned four other witnesses, they were an entrepreneur named Susmono Dwi Santoso; financial staff of PT Adi Wijaya, Febriana Eriska Putri; Director of CV Pilar Abadhi, Prihono; and the secretary of the Kalibening sub-district, Cion Pramundita.

"The witnesses were present and their knowledge was explored, among others, related to the alleged direct presence of the suspect BS and the suspect KA (Kedy Affandi) in providing guidance to entrepreneurs who will work on various projects in the Banjarnegara Regency Government," said Ali.

"The directive is allegedly related to, among other things, the distribution of the percentage fee for the suspect BS," he added.

In this case, the Banjarnegara Regent Budhi was named a suspect along with Kedy Afandi (KA) who was the former head of his success team during the election. He is suspected of receiving a commitment fee of around IDR 2.1 billion from contractors who want to get projects in his area.

Not only asking for a fee commitment, but Budhi was also named a suspect because he played an active role in the implementation of the tender for infrastructure work. The KPK suspects that he was directly involved in distributing the work packages at the Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Service, including family companies, and arranging the auction winners.

While Kedy is always monitored and directed by Budhi, especially when making arrangements for the division of work. This is intended so that companies affiliated with him and incorporated in the Bumi Redjo group can splash out on procurement projects.