Unsoed Speaks Out After Rector Caught in KPK Sting Operation
Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) Purwokerto has spoken out after a number of Unsoed officials were caught in a sting operation (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Unsoed spokesperson Edi Santoso admitted that he did not yet know for certain the case being handled by the KPK or the legal status of the individuals undergoing examination in the process.
“The KPK is carrying out an examination process, but we ourselves do not yet know what the actual case is or what the legal status is of the people who have been taken there,” Edi said, as quoted from Antara on Friday (21/8).
Edi said Unsoed had not yet taken a further stance for the time being because it was still waiting for a formal determination or statement from the KPK regarding the case.
According to him, the university would convey its position after obtaining official clarity regarding the ongoing legal process.
“Let us wait for clarity first, so for the time being there is no stance at all. Of course we will respect all legal processes, but as to what it is like, let us wait for the KPK,” Edi said.
The KPK arrested a total of 14 people in a series of sting operations targeting Unsoed Rector Akhmad Sodiq in Purwokerto and Jakarta on Thursday (20/8). Twelve people were arrested in the Purwokerto area and two others in Jakarta.
“One of the parties detained is the Unsoed Rector,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in a written statement on Friday (21/8) morning.
The KPK secured a number of pieces of evidence, including cash amounting to hundreds of millions of rupiah. Budi explained that this covert investigation activity was related to the conditioning of new student admissions.
Furthermore, Budi said the KPK regretted the alleged corruption occurring in the education sector because it could have a major impact on the instilling of values and character.
“Moreover, the alleged corruption occurred during the initial admissions process. This means that transactions were already taking place when new students opened the gate to enter the campus. A gate that should be the gateway to the nation’s aspirations and future,” Budi said.