KPK Explores Origin Of Rp1.4 Billion Money Found During OTT Regent Of North Penajam Paser

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the origin of the money amounting to Rp1.4 billion which was found when the North Penajam Paser Regent Abdul Gafur Mas'ud was caught in a red-handed operation (OTT) some time ago.

This investigation is carried out by examining four witnesses today or Monday, January 31. One of those being investigated was the Head of the North Penajam Paser Regency Investment and One-Stop Service (DPMPTSP), Fernando.

"(Investigators, ed) are studying the origin of the money that was also secured by the KPK team during the arrest," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, to reporters, Monday, January 31.

Apart from that, Ali said, investigators are also investigating the flow of money received by Abdul from the four witnesses.

Apart from Fernando, the witnesses examined were the Head of the Regional Secretariat for the Economy of North Penajam Paser Regency, Durajat; Head of Human Settlements of the PUPR Office of PPU Regency, Ricci Firmansyah; and the Head of Binamarga Division of the PUPR Office of PPU Regency, Petriandy Pongaton Pasulu alias Riyan.

"The witnesses were present and their knowledge was examined, among others, related to their knowledge, among others, related to the flow of a sum of money received by the suspect AGM," he said.

As previously reported, the Corruption Eradication Commission appointed Abdul Gafur with the Plt Secretary of North Penajam Paser Regency, Mulyadi; Head of Department of Public Works and Spatial Planning of North Penajam Paser Regency Edi Hasmoro; and Head of the North Penajam Paser District Education, Youth and Sports Office, Jusman, and the Balikpapan Democratic Party DPC General Treasurer, Nur Afifah Balqis as bribe recipients.

Meanwhile, as a suspect for giving bribes, the KPK has named a private party named Achmad Zudi. These six people have been named as suspects in alleged bribery in the procurement of goods and services as well as granting permits in North Penajam Paser Regency.

Their determination was initiated from a hand-catching operation (OTT) which was held on Wednesday, January 12 in two locations, namely Jakarta and North Kalimantan. From the results of the action, the KPK also confiscated Rp1 billion and Rp447 million in Balqis's account.