KPK Detains East Java DPRD Member in Grant Fund Case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained Moch. Mahrus, a member of the East Java Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) for the 2024-2029 period, for an initial 20 days starting today. The detention was carried out after Mahrus completed his examination as a suspect in an alleged bribery case related to the management of grant funds for community groups in the East Java Provincial Government for the 2019-2022 fiscal year. Mahrus was seen wearing an orange vest typical of KPK detainees, numbered 183, with his hands cuffed. He was taken to the KPK Detention Centre at 17:26 WIB. When asked about the charges against him, the Gerindra Party politician remained silent and followed the guards to the detention vehicle. Previously, on 22 July, the KPK had already detained three suspects from the private sector: Achmad Yahya and M. Fathullah from Pasuruan Regency, and Ra. Wahid Ruslan from Bangkalan Regency. They are accused of being the bribe givers and are charged under Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or letter b, or Article 13 of the Corruption Eradication Law in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1 of the Criminal Code. This case is a development from a covert investigation that led to a hand-catching operation in December 2022 involving the Deputy Speaker of the East Java DPRD for the 2019-2024 period, Sahat Tua P. Simanjuntak. On 10 October 2025, the KPK named 21 individuals as suspects, comprising 4 recipients and 17 givers. The suspected bribe recipients are former East Java DPRD Speaker Kusnadi, Deputy Speakers Anwar Sadad and Achmad Iskandar, and Anwar Sadad’s staff member Bagus Wahyudiono. The 17 suspected bribe givers include former East Java DPRD member Mahud, Sampang Regency DPRD Deputy Speaker Fauzan Adima, Probolinggo Regency DPRD Deputy Speaker Jon Junaidi, and several private individuals from various regencies, including Moch Mahrus, who was a private party from Probolinggo before becoming a DPRD member. The KPK later discontinued the case against suspect Kusnadi due to his death.