KPK Detains Riau Governor's Aide for 20 Days

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has officially detained Marjani, the inactive aide to the Riau Governor Abdul Wahid, for the initial 20 days starting today, Monday (13/4). This coercive measure was taken by the KPK after examining Marjani as a suspect in the alleged extortion case. Based on observations at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Monday (13/4) afternoon, Marjani was already wearing the distinctive orange vest of KPK detainees with his hands handcuffed. Marjani claimed he was not involved in the alleged extortion case. He asserted that other parties had misused his name. “There is none (governor’s orders). My name was just misused. Just misused,” said Marjani as he was being led to the KPK detention vehicle. That reason formed the basis for his lawsuit against the KPK and several other parties at the Pekanbaru District Court in Riau. The lawsuit concerns Unlawful Acts (PMH). “Because I feel my name was misused (so I sued the KPK),” he added. Marjani is charged with violating Article 12 letter e of the Corruption Eradication Law (UU Tipikor) in conjunction with Article 2 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code (KUHP). Article 12 letter e of the UU Tipikor states: Punished with life imprisonment or a prison sentence of at least 4 years and at most 20 years and a fine of at least Rp200,000,000.00 and at most Rp1,000,000,000.00: (e). Civil servants or state officials who, with the intent to benefit themselves or others unlawfully, or by abusing their authority, force someone to give something, pay, or receive payment with deductions, or to do something for themselves. Marjani is alleged to have committed the act together with Abdul Wahid in the suspected extortion related to the budget for projects at the Riau Provincial Public Works, Housing, and Human Settlements Department (PUPR). In following up on the investigation process with this new suspect, the KPK has scheduled examinations of witnesses. Among them are Abdul Wahid, the Head of the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing, Settlement Areas, and Land Department (PUPR PKPP) of Riau Province, M. Arief Setiawan, and Dani M. Nursalam as Abdul Wahid’s Expert Staff. Abdul Wahid, M. Arief Setiawan, and Dani M. Nursalam have already been processed legally by the KPK. Their cases and evidence have been handed over for trial at the Corruption Court (Tipikor). Abdul Wahid and associates are charged under Article 12 letter e and/or Article 12 letter f and/or Article 12B of the UU Tipikor in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph 1 of the KUHP.