KPK Examines 19 Tulungagung Officials to Probe Alleged Project Rigging
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has questioned 19 officials within the Tulungagung Regency government, East Java, over the past two days as part of developments in a case of alleged extortion and other payments involving the deactivated Tulungagung regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said the interviews were conducted at East Java Police Headquarters, with a focus on tracing alleged transfers or disbursements believed to have flowed to the regent.
‘Since Thursday we have questioned 19 officials within the Tulungagung regional government, including the acting regent,’ Budi said in a statement on Friday (22/5).
Of the total witnesses questioned, 13 are senior officials (eselon II), while the rest are eselon III officials and government staff.
In addition to examining possible fund flows, investigators have started to scrutinise the procurement of goods and services within the Tulungagung regional government.
Budi said KPK was probing indications of project winner manipulation despite the procurement process reportedly using the e-catalogue system.
According to the KPK, the suspected manipulation is believed to have occurred outside the electronic procurement mechanism, and thus requires further investigation.
‘We have obtained information of suspected manipulation to win projects in Tulungagung and it is still being investigated,’ Budi added.
Previously, KPK named the deactivated Tulungagung Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo as a suspect in a case of alleged extortion and other bribes.
In that case, investigators suspect a request for money from regional government work units (OPD), totaling up to Rp5 billion in requests, with about Rp2.7 billion realised.
During the investigative process, KPK has carried out searches at several locations and seized cash, documents, and items believed to be related to the case.
Investigators also said they remain open to expanding the case based on witness testimonies and evidence obtained.