Bengkulu Provincial Government Official Diultimatum KPK, Asked For Cooperatives When Summoned

KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardhika. (Tsa Tsia-VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has issued an official in the Bengkulu Provincial Government to cooperate in front of investigators. Their information is needed to investigate allegations of extortion and acceptance of gratuities that ensnared the inactive Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah.

"KPK urges officials within the Bengkulu Provincial Government to be cooperative and deliver actual information," said KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardhika to reporters in her statement, Sunday, December 8.

Tessa said officials who did otherwise could be charged with alleged obstruction of investigation or obstruction of justice as regulated in Article 21 of the Anti-Corruption Law. The KPK does not hesitate to ensnare anyone without looking at their background.

This is because the statements of the officials are needed to make light of the case that ensnared Rohidin. "For parties who are not cooperative, of course, the KPK will take all appropriate and measured actions in accordance with the law," he said.

Previously reported, the KPK held a hand arrest operation (OTT) in Bengkulu Province on Saturday, November 23 and brought eight people for questioning. Three people were later named as suspects, namely Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah, Bengkulu Provincial Secretary (Sekda) Isnan Fajri and Evrianshah alias Anca who is the Adc Governor of Bengkulu.

When the OTT was carried out, investigators found IDR 7 billion in rupiah currency denominations, US dollars, and Singapore dollars. The extortion and acceptance of gratuities is said to finance Rohidin, who is back running as a candidate for incumbent.

As a result of his actions, these three suspects are suspected of violating Article 12 letter e and Article 12B in Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended in Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 55 of the Criminal Code.