Kuansing Regent Detained by KPK: Asks for Prayers, Cites Presumption of Innocence

Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regent Suhardiman Amby requested support as he was about to be taken to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Detention Centre. Suhardiman, along with two other individuals, has been named a suspect in an alleged bribery case involving the buying and selling of positions within the Kuansing Regency Government. He was already wearing the distinctive orange vest of a KPK detainee with his hands cuffed. “Thank you, please give your support and prayers. We uphold the presumption of innocence. Let us pray together,” Suhardiman said at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Wednesday. The two other suspects detained by the KPK are Kuansing Regency Regional Secretary Zulkarnain and the President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant, Ardiles. Under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), the suspects will undergo detention for the first 20 days. The KPK will deliver the complete details of the case construction and the chronology of the Sting Operation (OTT) this afternoon. Previously, Suhardiman and Zulkarnain surrendered to the KPK on Tuesday evening. Both were met by the KPK team at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Suhardiman and Zulkarnain’s whereabouts were previously unknown when the KPK team conducted the OTT some time ago. The anti-corruption agency subsequently issued an ultimatum for both to cooperate and surrender. Besides Suhardiman and Zulkarnain, the KPK also arrested 10 other individuals in the silent operation. Nine people were arrested in Kuansing Regency, while one was arrested in Jakarta. After undergoing initial examination, the investigative team decided to bring five people to the KPK’s Merah Putih Building. Three individuals were from the private sector, one was a civil servant in Kuansing Regency, and the other was a family member of a state official in Kuansing Regency. During the OTT, the KPK team also secured evidence of financial transactions and a car suspected of being an instrument of the bribe.