Denies Case Handling, Sahroni Explains Handing Over Rp300 Million to Extortionists
Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the DPR, Ahmad Sahroni, has denied any case handling in the extortion case against him by several individuals claiming to be emissaries of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Sahroni admitted to being surprised by the circulating information and stated that the extortion was related to case handling. According to Sahroni, the perpetrators simply approached him and demanded Rp300 million for the activities of the anti-corruption commission’s leadership.
“But the news narrative is already different, as if it’s about handling cases. Who is handling cases? There is no case handling; they directly asked for money in the name of the KPK leadership,” Sahroni said when contacted on Friday (10/4).
The NasDem Party’s General Treasurer did not deny the handover of the money. However, it was done as evidence of extortion.
“The money was indeed handed over, yes, because here’s the thing, I’ll tell you. Why was the money handed over? Well, because you want to catch people, I have to hand it over, right? How can you catch people without evidence of giving the money,” Sahroni said.
Sahroni stated that the extortion incident occurred on Monday (6/4), while he was leading a commission meeting. In the midst of the meeting, he received a message from his staff that one of the perpetrators, a woman, claimed to be the Head of the Enforcement Bureau of the KPK and wanted to meet.
He then confirmed with the KPK leadership regarding the identities of the perpetrators, but it was denied.
“Because I was suspicious, I held back but I asked directly to the KPK. Since it wasn’t true, the KPK coordinated with the Metro Police, and I reported it,” he said.
A joint team from the KPK and Metro Jaya Police on Thursday night (9/4) arrested four individuals suspected of posing as anti-corruption agency employees, who claimed they could arrange the handling of alleged corruption cases at the KPK.
“The suspected perpetrators were secured in the West Jakarta area. In the operation, the team also secured evidence in the form of USD 17,400 in cash,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo.