Not Yet Receiving Summons, The Sultan Of Pontianak Denies Being Called By KPK As A Witness

The Sultan of Pontianak IX Syarif Machmud Melvin Alkadrie accompanied by his lawyer during a press conference in Pontianak/Photo: Antara

PONTIANAK - The Sultan of Pontianak IX Syarif Machmud Melvin Alkadrie denied that he had been summoned by the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as a witness in the alleged corruption case of the North Penajam Paser Regent.

"Until now, neither I nor the Pontianak Palace and relatives have ever received a summons from the KPK," said Syarif Machmud Melvin Alkadrie in Pontianak, Monday evening, April 4.

In his press conference, the Sultan of Pontianak IX Syarif Machmud Melvin Alkadrie in front of reporters read his clarification regarding the widespread news.

"This rebuttal that I issued is in response to various reports that have begun to be massive in the national mass media and in West Kalimantan, regarding my summons as a witness to be questioned regarding the inactive Regent of Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan Province, Abdul Ghofur Mas'ud in recent times," he said.

He also emphasized that he had never received a summons from the Indonesian KPK. "Until today, April 4, 2022, there has been no letter and there has never been a summons as a witness from the Indonesian KPK," he asserted.

He added that if the letter was indeed there, he would still come and give information.

Then, he said again, as a law-abiding citizen, if there is a summons as a witness from the KPK, he is ready to provide information according to correct and honest procedures.

"And on this occasion, I firmly state that I will continue to support the steps taken by the KPK to enforce the law in an effort to eradicate corruption," he said, quoted by Antara.

Previously, Acting KPK Spokesman Ali Fikri stated that his party appealed to the Sultan of Pontianak Syarif Machmud Melvin Alkadrie to be cooperative in attending to the summons as a witness in the case that ensnared the inactive North Penajam Paser Regent (PPU) Abdul Gafur Mas'ud (AGM).

"Not present and without confirmation from the investigative team. The summons will be sent back soon and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) urges them to be cooperative at the next scheduled schedule," he said.

The KPK had originally summoned Syarif Machmud Melvin Alkadrie on Thursday (31/3) as a witness for the suspect Abdul Gafur in the investigation into the alleged bribery case related to the procurement of goods and services and permits in PPU Regency, East Kalimantan in 2021-2022.

The KPK has named a total of six suspects in the case. The five suspects who received the bribes were Abdul Gafur, Acting Regional Secretary of North Penajam Paser Regency (MI), Head of Public Works and Spatial Planning of North Penajam Paser Regency Edi Hasmoro (EH).

Furthermore, the Head of the Education, Youth and Sports Office of North Penajam Paser Regency, Jusman (JM), and Nur Afifah Balqis (NAB) from the private sector/General Treasurer of the Balikpapan Democratic Party DPC. While the bribe giver is Achmad Zuhdi alias Yudi (AZ) from the private sector.