KPK Searches Unila Building, Seizes Evidence Of The Role Of Suspects In Alleging Bribery For New Student Admissions

Illustration of KPK investigators conducting a search. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) found documents related to the alleged bribery of accepting new students who ensnared the Chancellor of the University of Lampung (Unila) Karomani. This finding was obtained when investigators searched the Unila Rectorate Building on Monday, August 22.

"The investigative team has completed carrying out a forced search in the Lampung area," said KPK Head of News, Ali Fikri in a written statement, Tuesday, August 23.

"Evidence was found and secured, including a number of documents and electronic goods which are suspected to be able to reveal the roles of the suspects," he continued.

Furthermore, the evidence found will be analyzed. It is hoped that this finding will shed light on the actions of Karomani and the other suspects.

"Analysis and confiscation of various evidences will be carried out immediately for the needs of filing cases from the suspects," said Ali.

Previously, the KPK named four suspects for alleged bribery of accepting new students at the University of Lampung in 2022. The determination of these suspects began with arresting operations carried out in Lampung, Bandung and Bali.

The suspects involved in this case are the Chancellor of the University of Lampung 2020-2024 Karomani; Vice Chancellor I for Academic Affairs, University of Lampung Heryandi; Chairman of the Senate of the University of Lampung Muhammad Basri; and private Andi Desfiandi.

In this case, Karomani is suspected of fixing the price of seats for prospective new students on his campus at a price ranging from Rp. 100 million to Rp. 350 million when carrying out the Independent Selection for Entrance to the University of Lampung (Simanila). This request was made after Heryandi and Muhammad Basri personally selected the student's parents' ability to pay.

As for one of the families of the prospective Simanila participants, Andi then took the initiative to pay after his family was accepted as a student because of Karomani's assistance. He then handed over Rp150 million in cash in Lampung which was taken by a lecturer, namely Mualimin.

From his actions, Karomani allegedly managed to collect Rp603 million from Mualimin which was then used for personal purposes amounting to Rp575 million.

Meanwhile, from Muhammad Basri and Budi Sutomo who are Head of the Planning and Public Relations Bureau at the University of Lampung, it is suspected that the total money received by Karomani reached Rp. 4.4 billion. This money is then transferred to savings deposits, gold bars, and some are still in cash.