Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission, or KPK, on Tuesday detained Kapuas Regent Ben Brahim Bahat and his wife Ary Egahni, a House of Representatives member from the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), for allegedly taking Rp 8.7 billion ($577,500) in bribe. 

The money was used to pay polling organizations to work for the couple during the elections in Kapuas regency in Central Kalimantan, KPK Deputy Chairman Johanis Tanak told a news conference in Jakarta.

The regent also asked several private companies to gather crowds during the regency head election and the national legislative election for the interest of the couple, Johanis said.

The commission accused the couple of accepting payment from plantation companies in return for business licenses in Kapuas.

“The suspects are detained to support the ongoing investigation,” Johanis said.