Gowa Regent Not Detained Following Six-Hour Interrogation in Extortion Case

Gowa Regent Sitti Husniah Talenrang was not detained after being interrogated as a suspect by investigators from the National Police’s Anti-Corruption Corps (Kortas Tipidkor) on Thursday (1/10).

Kombes Ahmad Yusuf Afandi, Head of Operations for Kortas Tipidkor Polri, stated that this decision refers to the Law on Local Government, which stipulates that the detention of a regent or mayor must receive approval from the Minister of Home Affairs.

“She is not being detained. In accordance with Article 90 of the Law on Local Government, if an investigation into a regent or mayor proceeds to detention, the approval of the Minister of Home Affairs is required,” Yusuf confirmed on Thursday.

Yusuf noted that Sitti’s interrogation as a suspect lasted approximately six hours, during which she was subjected to dozens of questions by investigators.

“The interrogation took place from 11:00 to 17:45, involving 26 questions,” he said.

Previously, the National Police’s Anti-Corruption Corps named Gowa Regent Sitti Husniah Talenrang (SHT) as a suspect in a case involving extortion and money laundering.

Brigadier General Robertus Yohanes De Deo, Director of Enforcement at Kortas Tipplandkor Polri, stated that there were four specific extortion incidents carried out by Sitti Husniah.

The first involves the processing of Spatial Planning Suitability Approvals (PKKPR) by housing developers.

The second instance involves extortion against Indomaret, under the guise of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds amounting to Rp85 million for every new outlet opened.

The third case relates to the processing of Building Approval (PBG) for the Royal Spring Housing development. In this instance, Sitti allegedly requested one house unit at a 70 per cent discount from the original price of Rp1.4 billion as a condition for the building approval of the Sakura 2 site plan.

Finally, De Deo mentioned that investigators also discovered a request for sponsorship funds amounting to Rp100 million from Indomaret for the opening of the Beautiful Malino outlet. These funds were subsequently transferred directly to the event organiser.