KPK Names Central Lampung District Head a Bribery Suspect
Jakarta. Antigraft investigators named Central Lampung district head Mustafa a suspect on Friday (16/02) following his arrest on bribery allegations involving a loan from a state-owned financing company, officials said.
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) spokesman Febri Diansyah said Mustafa is detained at the agency's detention center in South Jakarta, as reported by Suara Pembaruan.
Mustafa was brought to Jakarta following his arrest in Lampung on Thursday night. Investigators have arrested 14 people, including regional lawmakers, district officials and a businessman, for their alleged involvement in the case since Wednesday.
KPK commissioner Basaria Panjaitan said Mustafa is suspected of having ordered his subordinates to accept bribes from businessmen on behalf of lawmakers, in return for approving a district government proposal for a Rp 300 billion ($22 million) loan from Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (SMI).
Investigators seized Rp 1 billion in cash in a sting operation that led to the arrests. The KPK suspects that Rp 900 million of the money came from businessmen and the remainder from the district budget.
The KPK earlier declared Central Lampung regional lawmakers Natalis Sinaga and Tengah Ruliyanto as suspects in the case, along with Taufik Rahman, the regional head of state-owned road operator Bina Marga.
Mustafa, who is a Lampung gubernatorial nominee, will participate in this year's regional elections along with running mate Ahmad Jajuli. The pair is supported by the National Democratic Party (NasDem), Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and People's Conscience Party (Hanura).
"I call on all my supporters in Lampung to remain patient… We will support the KPK's efforts," Mustafa said after questioning by investigators.
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