Besides Bribery, Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi Also Named KPK As Suspect Of Alleged Money Laundering

Rahmat Effendi/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named inactive Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi or Pepen as a suspect in the alleged crime of money laundering (TPPU).

The determination was made after investigators found preliminary evidence from a number of witnesses who were summoned in the investigation process of alleged bribery in the procurement of goods and services and the auction of positions in the Bekasi City Government (Pemkot).

"The investigative team later discovered that there were allegations of other criminal acts committed by the suspect RE, so that a new investigation was carried out with the suspicion of ML," said Acting Spokesperson for the KPK for Enforcement, Ali Fikri in a written statement, Monday, April 4.

In the investigation of this alleged money laundering crime, Pepen is suspected of having spent and hidden or disguised the assets he obtained from accepting bribes. However, the KPK has not detailed what assets have been purchased with the hot money.

Ali said that currently, investigators are still working. The public is asked to be patient to wait for further information.

"The investigative team will immediately collect and complete the evidence, including by scheduling the summons of witnesses," he said.

It was previously reported that Rahmat Effendi or Pepen had previously been named as a suspect in the alleged bribery of the procurement of goods and services as well as the auction of positions. He was set with eight other people.

Pepen with the Secretary of the Investment Office and PTSP, M Bunyamin; Head of Jatisari Village, Mulyadi; Jatisampurna Sub-district Head, Wahyudin; and the Head of the Bekasi City Housing, Settlement and Land Office, Jumhana Lutfi, were named as recipients of bribes.

Meanwhile, the four suspected givers are the Director of PT MAM Energindo, Ali Amril; private party, Lai Bui Min; Director of Kota Bintang Rayatri, Suryadi; and the sub-district head of Rawalumbu, Makhfud Saifudin.