KPK Reminds Sidoarjo Regent to Respect and Comply with Legal Process

The Corruption Eradication Commission reminded Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali to comply with the investigator's summons and attend as scheduled.

KOMPAS/RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

Head of News Reporting of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Ali Fikri gave an official statement to journalists regarding the search at the official residence of the Minister of Agriculture on Friday (29/9/2023).

SURABAYA, KOMPAS — The Corruption Eradication Commission reminded the Regent of Sidoarjo Ahmad Muhdlor Ali to comply with investigators' summons on Friday (19/4/2024). Apart from that, Muhdlor was asked to attend according to schedule as a form of his commitment to respect and comply with the ongoing legal process.

The call made by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to the Regent of Sidoarjo, Ahmad Muhdlor Ali, was related to a corruption case involving the cutting and receiving of incentives for local taxes within the civil servant apparatus of the Sidoarjo Regional Tax Service Agency (BPPD). If Muhdlor is present, he will undergo an initial examination as a suspect.

Previously, the son of the caretaker of Pesantren Bumi Sholawat Sidoarjo, KH Agoes Ali Masyhuri (Gus Ali), had been examined by KPK investigators. At that time, the head of the region who has served since 2021 was examined in his capacity as a witness for the suspects, Head of the General and Personnel Sub-Division of BPPD Sidoarjo Siska Wati and Head of BPPD Sidoarjo Ari Suryono.

"That's right, according to the agenda, the summons for the Regent of Sidoarjo is scheduled to appear at the KPK on Friday. "We remind those concerned to attend according to the schedule as stated in the commitment conveyed to respect and comply with the ongoing legal process at the KPK," said Head of the News Section KPK Ali Fikri when contacted from Surabaya, Thursday (18/4/2024).

Also read: Corruption that Hurts Sidoarjo's Glorious Achievements

Ali added that they also appreciate the efforts of the pretrial request made by the suspect, Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) admits to being ready to face the pretrial lawsuit. According to Ali, it is the right of the suspect as well as a form of control over the work of KPK investigators in solving the case.

KOMPAS/RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali after his inauguration some time ago.

"However, we need to emphasize at the outset that the testing in the trial is only a matter of administrative formalities related to the investigation, so it's obviously not the substance of the case. The substance of the case will be tested in the corruption court (tipikor)." said Ali.

We remind the respective individual to attend as scheduled as he/she has committed to respecting and complying with the ongoing legal process at the KPK.

According to Ali, pretrial proceedings also cannot stop the process of investigation settlement. Therefore, he reminded the suspect to be cooperative by appearing and fulfilling the investigator's summons according to the established schedule.

"The purpose is to give suspects the opportunity to directly explain to KPK investigators about the issues related to the ongoing case," said Ali.

The effort for a pretrial lawsuit was previously conveyed directly by Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Mudlor and his legal counsel, Mustofa Abidin, on Wednesday (18/4/2024). Mudlor plans to take legal action after being named a suspect in a corruption case involving the reduction of regional tax incentives by the Corruption Eradication Commission.

Also read: Becoming a Corruption Suspect, Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali Respects the Legal Process

Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali and Head of the Sidoarjo Regional Development Planning Agency (BPPD) Ari Suryono are suspected of receiving funds in a corruption case related to the alleged reduction of tax incentives and local retribution. This case came to light after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a raid on Thursday (25/1/2024).

KOMPAS/RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali during the Sidoarjo DPRD Plenary Meeting, Monday (1/3/2021).

In that operation, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested a total of 11 people, including several civil servants at the Sidoarjo Regional Development Planning Agency (BPPD). In addition, the Head of the Government Administration Section of Setdakab Sidoarjo, a Bank Jatim employee, the sister-in-law of Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor, and a student were also arrested. However, only Siska Wati was declared a suspect.

In the arrest, investigators seized cash of IDR 69.9 million from alleged embezzlement and receipt of IDR 2.7 billion in 2023. The money was collected by the suspect for later use by the Head of BPPD Sidoarjo and the Regent of Sidoarjo.

Also read: Sidoarjo Regent Chooses Official Activities Instead of Attending Calls

KPK

Meanwhile, based on Kompas's observations, Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali did not attend the invitation to the halalbihalal event for regional heads throughout East Java held by the East Java Provincial Government at the Grahadi State Building. Instead, the Sidoarjo Regency Government was represented by Acting Sidoarjo Regional Secretary Fenny Apridawati.

"Madam Secretary (of Sidoarjo) apologized earlier on behalf of the absence of the Regent of Sidoarjo. It is better not to attend and rest instead. We apply the presumption of innocence," said the Acting Governor of East Java Adhy Karyono in response to questions regarding the absence of the Regent of Sidoarjo.

As for several regional heads who were present at Grahadi, they include Ponorogo Regent Sugiri Sancoko, Trenggalek Regent Mochammad Nur Arifin, and Acting Mayor of Batu Aries Agung Paewai. In addition, Sumenep Regent Achmad Fauzi and Acting Regent of Bangkalan Arief M Edie were also in attendance.