Absent from Corruption Eradication Commission Examination, Sidoarjo Regent Says He Is Sick

Ahmad Muhdlor Ali was absent from the initial investigation by the Corruption Eradication Commission. He said he was sick and was treated at the West Sidoarjo Regional Hospital.

KOMPAS/RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali after the inauguration

SIDOARJO, KOMPAS — Regent of Sidoarjo Ahmad Muhdlor Ali was absent from the summons for investigation by the Corruption Eradication Commission investigators /a>. Due to illness, Muhdlor applied for a postponement of the examination. Currently, the third Sidoarjo regent who is a corruption suspect is being treated at the West Sidoarjo Regional General Hospital.

Director of West Regional General Hospital, Abdillah Alhadad confirmed the presence of Muhdlor in his institution. Muhdlor was admitted to the hospital since early morning of April 17, 2024. After undergoing a series of health examinations, he was asked to undergo intensive health care treatment.

"Based on the results of the medical examination, he is required to undergo treatment at the hospital," said Abdillah, Friday (19/4/2024).

Confirmed separately, Acting Regional Secretary (Plt) Sidoarjo Regency Fenny Apridawati also confirmed the information regarding Muhdlor who was being treated in hospital. "Hopefully enggal dhangan (get well soon)," said Fenny.

Also read: Excusing illness, Sidoarjo Regent cancels investigation by KPK as suspect

Not confirmed yet

Head of the KPK News Department Ali Fikri said that Muhdlor had been named a suspect in the case of alleged withholding and receipt of regional tax incentive money within the Sidoarjo Regional Tax Service Agency (BPPD).

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali attended the Declaration of Nderek Kiai Prabowo-Gibran at the Progressive Islamic Boarding School of Bumi Shalawat, Sidoarjo, on Thursday (1/2/2023). The event was attended by thousands of Prabowo-Gibran supporters from Sidoarjo and surrounding areas. The declaration of support for Prabowo-Gibran was delivered by the Head of the Progressive Islamic Boarding School of Bumi Shalawat Sidoarjo, KH Aria Muhammad.

Muhdlor is scheduled to undergo his first examination as a suspect on Friday at the KPK Building in Jakarta. However, according to Ali, they have not received confirmation of the suspect's presence. He will check regarding the submission of a postponement of examination from Muhdlor's party.

"So far, there has been no confirmation from the related party. We will check and provide an update," said Ali Fikri when contacted.

Meanwhile, Mustofa Abidin, the legal representative of the suspect Ahmad Muhdlor Ali, stated that they have submitted a request for a postponement of examination to the anti-corruption agency investigator. The request for postponement was conveyed on Friday (4/19/2024) morning.

"Today, the Regent of Sidoarjo was unable to attend to fulfill the call for inspection by the Corruption Eradication Committee because he was ill," said Mustofa.

Also read: KPK Reminds Sidoarjo Regent to Respect and Comply with Legal Process

Mustofa stated that he respected the summons for questioning conducted by the KPK investigators towards his client. However, Muhdlor's current illness has prevented him from fulfilling the investigator's summons.

HUMAS PEMKAB SIDOARJO

Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali (center with kopiah) at the launch event of the regional tax for 2024 at Fave Hotel on Wednesday (January 24, 2024). The realization of the regional tax in 2023 reached Rp 1.3 trillion.

In the case of alleged corruption at BPPD Sidoarjo, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named three people as suspects. They are the Head of General Affairs and Personnel Subdivision of BPPD Sidoarjo, Siska Wati, the Head of BPPD Sidoarjo, Ari Suryono, and the Regent of Sidoarjo, Ahmad Muhdlor Ali.

Muhdlor and Ari Suryono are allegedly receiving funds amounting to billions of rupiah each year from the reduction of regional tax incentives carried out by Siska. The money is used to finance the needs of Muhdlor and Ari.

This case came to light after the Corruption Eradication Commission carried out a sting operation on Thursday (25/1/2024). During the operation, the KPK arrested 11 people, including several civil servants at the Sidoarjo Regional Development Planning Agency (BPPD). In addition, the Head of the Government Administration Division of the Sidoarjo District Secretariat, an employee of Bank Jatim, Muhdlor's in-law, and a student were also arrested.

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.

Ahmad Muhdlor Ali was elected as the Regent of Sidoarjo in the regional elections held on December 9, 2020. This child of the caretaker of the Progressive Bumi Sholawat Islamic Boarding School, KH Agoes Ali Mashyuri, was paired with Subandi who is currently serving as the Deputy Regent of Sidoarjo.

KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO

Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali came out of the KPK Building to undergo Friday prayers, Friday (16/2/2024).

Muhdlor, who has been the head of the region for three years, became the third Regent of Sidoarjo involved in a corruption case. The two previous regents who were involved in corruption cases were Win Hendarso, who served from 2000-2010, and Saiful Ilah, who served from 2010-2020.

In 2011, Win Hendarso was involved in a corruption case regarding regional funds amounting to Rp 2.3 billion. Meanwhile, Saiful Ilah was involved in a bribery case related to contractors of local governments and the head of a regional organization. In addition, Saiful was also implicated in a gratification case during his tenure as a regional head.

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