Being a Witness in the Case of Bribery in the East Java Province Financial Aid, Soekarwo Was Asked by KPK to Explain the Governor Regulation

Former Governor of East Java Soekarwo after being questioned by the KPK/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has asked former East Java Governor, Soekarwo or Pakde Karwo, to explain the Governor's Regulation on financial assistance in the regions.

Investigators examined him as a witness to the alleged bribery of financial aid that ensnared the Head of the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD), Budi Setiawan.

"(Requested, red) to explain Gubernatorial Regulation 13 of 2011 regarding the structure in making decisions on financial assistance in the regions. That's all", said Pakde Karwo after being questioned at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday, November 8.

According to Pakde Karwo, he was only asked about the regulations by investigators. However, the examination took a long time because he had time to pray first.

Pakde Karwo came to the KPK's Red and White Building at around 15.03 WIB and finished being investigated at around 18.10 WIB. "(Up to two hours, ed) pray. I (earlier, ed) only explained Governor Regulation 13 of 2011", he said.

He also admitted that he did not receive any other questions from investigators. Including, related to the involvement of other parties in the bribery case.

"Nothing (about the involvement of other parties, ed). Only (asked, ed) the Governor's Regulation", said Pakde Karwo.

In this case, the KPK appointed the former Head of the 2014-2016 East Java BPKAD and the 2017-2018 Head of the East Java Provincial Bappeda Budi Setiawan. He allegedly received a fee after the Tulungagung Regency received the assistance of IDR 79.1 billion.

The anti-corruption commission said that this fee was paid between 2017 and 2018. This case is part of the case that ensnared the former Tulungagung Regent Syahri Mulyo.