KPK Examines Sidoarjo Regent After Twice Absences, Will He Be Detained?

Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali began being questioned by the KPK as a corruption suspect in Sidoarjo this Tuesday. Will he be arrested?

KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO

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

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Regent of Sidoarjo Ahmad Muhdlor Ali, this Tuesday (7/4/2024) began to be questioned by investigators at the Corruption Eradication Commission Building (KPK< /a>), Jakarta. Muhdlor complied with the Corruption Eradication Commission's summons to be investigated as a suspect in the suspected corruption case at the Regional Tax Service Agency or BPPD Sidoarjo, East Java. Previously, Muhdlor was absent twice when he was being questioned by the KPK. There is a possibility that Muhdlor will be detained, there has been no news from the KPK.

The Head of the News Section of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Ali Fikri, said that investigators will question Muhdlor as a suspect related to the development of a corruption case involving the alleged embezzlement of incentive funds for civil servants in the Sidoarjo local government.

"Based on the information we have received, the Regent of Sidoarjo confirmed that he will be present for questioning on Tuesday (7/5/2024)," said Ali in a written statement yesterday on Monday (6/5/2024). Today, Muhdlor was mentioned as already undergoing questioning by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Ali reminded Muhdlor to comply with the summons from the investigative team to provide information and shed light on the case. If the suspects have been properly summoned during the investigation process but fail to appear without clear reason, then compulsory measures such as apprehension can be taken and presented to the KPK investigator.

Also read: Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali Again Absent from KPK Summons

KOMPAS/EMANUEL EDI SAPUTRA

Head of the KPK News Section, Ali Fikri, in a press conference at the KPK Building, Jakarta, Friday (10/11/2023).

"We give the person concerned the opportunity to explain his case directly in front of the investigative team," he said.

Based on Kompas's records, Muhdlor had previously been summoned by the KPK as a suspect twice, namely on Friday, April 19 2024 and Friday, May 3 2024. However, Muhdlor did not comply with the examination for various reasons.

Firstly, Muhdlor claimed that he was sick. Meanwhile, during the second summons, Muhdlor failed to attend without providing any reason. In mid-February, Muhdlor was present and examined by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as a witness.

We give the person concerned the opportunity to explain his case directly in front of the investigative team.

Muhdlor is currently taking legal action by filing a pretrial request. Ali said that the pretrial request submitted by Muhdlor did not delay or stop the investigation process at all. If respecting the legal process, Muhdlor should attend the investigator's summons.

"Of course pretrial is only limited to testing the formal administrative side of the investigation process," said Ali.

This case began with the Corruption Eradication Commission's investigation into the alleged reduction of incentives for civil servants in the tax office. The incident took place at the Sidoarjo BPPD.

Previously on January 25, 2024, the KPK carried out a sting operation (OTT) against 11 civil servants at BPPD with evidence of cash amounting to Rp 69.9 million. From the sting operation conducted three weeks before the 2024 election, allegations of extortion manipulation of at least Rp 2.7 billion were revealed.

BPPD General Subdivision Head Siska Wati is the first suspect. The KPK investigation finally led to Muhdlor.

On February 16, 2024, at the Red and White Building of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Muhdlor underwent questioning as a witness. One week after the questioning, the Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPPD) in Sidoarjo, Ari Suryono, became a suspect and was detained.

On March 19, 2024, the KPK issued a notice of investigation (SPDP). The KPK is investigating Muhdlor's involvement in a corruption case in BPPD Sidoarjo. On Tuesday (4/16/2024), the KPK confirmed Muhdlor's status as a suspect.

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

This case has also drawn public attention because after the KPK's arrests in Sidoarjo, Muhdlor changed his political support for the 2024 Presidential Election. Prior to the arrests, Muhdlor, who was part of the National Awakening Party (PKB), campaigned for the presidential and vice presidential candidates supported by his party, Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar.

However, after the KPK OTT, Muhdlor shifted his support to the presidential and vice presidential candidates Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka. (Kompas.id, 12 February 2024)