Sahroni Extorted by Fake KPK Officials over Case, Panics and Hands Over Rp300 Million

Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the House of Representatives Ahmad Sahroni has revealed how he became a victim of extortion by four individuals who claimed to be employees of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Sahroni explained that the extortion incident occurred while he was chairing a meeting at the DPR on Monday (6/4). In the midst of the meeting, he received a message from his staff that one of the perpetrators, who claimed to be the Head of the Enforcement Bureau, wanted to meet. “I was chairing the meeting, I didn’t have any appointment with anyone. But because my staff conveyed it via WhatsApp, I left the meeting room and approached that person,” Sahroni said when contacted on Friday (10/4). However, the NasDem Party politician then confirmed the identities of the perpetrators with KPK leaders. The KPK leadership denied that the people who approached him were anti-corruption commission members. “Because I was suspicious, but I asked directly to the KPK. Since it wasn’t true, the KPK coordinated with Metro Jaya Police and I reported it,” he said. The KPK then followed up on Sahroni’s report to Polda Metro Jaya, which was continued with his personal report. According to Sahroni, the perpetrators demanded money amounting to Rp300 million to be handed over to the leadership for KPK activities. He admitted to being shocked by the audacity of the perpetrators in carrying out their actions. The NasDem general treasurer denied that the extortion case against him by the four fake KPK employees was related to handling cases. Sahroni was surprised by the circulating information lately that portrayed the extortion as related to case handling. According to Sahroni, the perpetrators only approached him and demanded Rp300 million, claiming it was for the anti-corruption commission leadership activities. “But the news narrative is already different, as if handling cases. Who is handling cases? There is no case handling, they directly asked for money in the name of the KPK leadership,” he said. Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya Commissioner Budi Hermanto said his side is still investigating the report of threats and extortion. Budi added that the police are delving into the report because the perpetrators received the money. “It has already (been handed over) Rp300 million. That’s why there is extortion and threats,” Budi said. A joint team from KPK and Polda Metro Jaya arrested four people suspected of posing as anti-corruption agency employees on Thursday night (9/4), who claimed they could arrange the handling of alleged corruption cases at the KPK. “The suspected perpetrators were secured in the West Jakarta area. In the operation, the team also seized evidence in the form of money amounting to 17,400 US dollars,” revealed KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo.