KPK Names West Lombok Regent a Suspect in Procurement Corruption Case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini a suspect in a corruption case related to alleged conflicts of interest in the procurement of goods and services within the West Lombok Regency Government, West Nusa Tenggara. In addition to the regent, the KPK also named two other suspects: Sudirman, the President Director of the regional water company PT Air Minum Giri Menang (Perseroda), and ALG, a director of PT MSI. The KPK’s Acting Director of Investigation, Achmad Taufik Husein, stated that based on valid preliminary evidence and sufficient proof, the commission elevated the case to the investigation stage and named the three individuals as suspects. Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini and Sudirman are suspected of acting as bribe recipients and are charged under articles of the Anti-Corruption Law. The director of PT MSI is suspected of being the bribe giver and is charged under the Criminal Code. The suspects will be detained at the KPK detention centre for an initial 20 days, starting from 21 July. The KPK conducted a sting operation on 20 July, initially arresting 19 people and bringing eight of them to Jakarta for further examination.