As a Corruption Suspect, Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali Respects the Legal Process

The Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) named Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali as the new suspect in the alleged corruption case at BPPD Sidoarjo.

KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO

Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali comes out of the KPK building for Friday prayers, Friday (16/2/2024).

SIDOARJO, KOMPAS — The Corruption Eradication Commission named the Regent of Sidoarjo Ahmad Muhdlor Ali as a new suspect in the case of alleged withholding and receipt of tax incentive money and regional levies at the Sidoarjo Regional Tax Service Agency. Muhdlor responded to this by respecting the legal process and preparing a team of lawyers.

Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri said that the determination of a new suspect in the case of alleged cuts to tax incentives and regional levies at the Sidoarjo Regional Tax Service Agency (BPPD) was carried out through analysis of the statements of the parties examined as a witness including the statements of the suspects. Apart from that, also from the results of the analysis of the evidence found.

"The investigative team then found the roles and involvement of other parties who took part in the alleged corruption of cutting and receiving money within the BPPD Pemkab Sidoarjo environment," said Ali Fikri when contacted from Sidoarjo on Tuesday (16/4/2024).

Based on the findings and the results of the case conducted by KPK investigators, it was agreed that there are parties who can be held accountable before the law. This accountability is related to allegations of participating in flow of a certain amount of money.

Also read: Waiting for Clarification from the Regent of Sidoarjo in the Regional Incentive Corruption Case

Ali has not been able to specifically disclose the complete identity of the party identified as a suspect, their role, and the charges against them. This will only be done once the adequacy of evidence is fulfilled by the investigating team.

KOMPAS/RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

A number of police armed with long guns escorted KPK investigators who were inspecting the Sidoarjo Regent's official residence, Wednesday (31/1/2024).

"However, we confirm in response to media inquiries that the individual in question does hold the position of regent in Sidoarjo Regency from 2021 until now," said Ali Fikri.

The spokesperson of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) promised to inform the public about the development of corruption cases in the Sidoarjo Regency government. The progress of handling the case will be delivered gradually.

In the corruption case of alleged cuts to tax incentives and regional levies at BPPD Sidoarjo, the Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) has named two suspects. They are the Head of the General and Civil Service Subdivision of BPPD Sidoarjo Siska Wati and the Head of BPPD Sidoarjo Ari Suryono.

Meanwhile, amidst his status as a suspect, Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali is still carrying out his official duties. For example, on Tuesday, Muhdlor attended a halalbihalal event with all the regional apparatus organizations in the Sidoarjo Regency government, held at the Delta Wibawa Pendopo.

Also read: KPK Examines Sidoarjo Regent as Witness for Cutting Tax Incentives

Regarding the suspect determination conducted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Muhdlor said that his party respects all decisions issued by the anti-corruption institution. Furthermore, Muhdlor will take legal action in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

The Satpol PP is guarding the entrance gate of the Delta Wibawa Pendopo in Sidoarjo while KPK investigators conduct an examination of the official residence of the Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali, on Wednesday (31/1/2024).

"I ask for the prayers of the entire Sidoarjo community, including regarding the further steps that we will take," Muhdlor said in Sidoarjo.

Muhdlor stated that he had prepared a legal team or lawyer who would accompany him throughout the legal process. Indonesia is a country of law that allows him to take legal measures regarding his status as a suspect.

Alleged flow of funds

Ahmad Muhdlor Ali and Ari Suryono are suspected of receiving funds in a corruption case related to alleged tax incentive and local levy cuts. This case came to light after the Corruption Eradication Commission conducted a sting operation on Thursday (25/1/2024).

During the operation, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested a total of 11 people, including several civil servants from the Sidoarjo Regional Development Planning Agency (BPPD). In addition, the Head of the Government Administration Section of the Sidoarjo Regency Secretariat, an employee of Bank Jatim, Ahmad Muhdlor's relative, and a student were also apprehended. However, only Siska Wati was named as a suspect.

Vice Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Nurul Ghufron, said in a press conference at the KPK Building on Monday (29/1/2024) that during the arrest, investigators confiscated cash amounting to Rp 69.9 million from allegations of embezzlement and receipt of Rp 2.7 billion in 2023. The money was collected by the suspect to be used by the Head of BPPD Sidoarjo and the Regent of Sidoarjo.

Also read: Corruption that Hurts Sidoarjo's Glorious Achievements