KPK arrests Riau governor in residential complex

JAKARTA. Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators allegedly caught red-handed Riau Governor Annas Maamun bribing a law enforcement officer in East Jakarta on Thursday night.

KPK spokesman Johan Budi confirmed that arrests were made during a press conference, saying that nine people were apprehended during the operation.

“Yes, an operation was carried out at CitraGran housing complex in Cibubur. We have arrested a governor and some of his family members, businessmen, a governor’s adjutant and drivers,” Johan said on Thursday night.

Johan refused to confirm whether the arrested governor was Annas, saying that he did not have details of the arrest.

“We will provide details after those arrested undergo intensive questioning tomorrow,” Johan said, adding that it would also be determined on Friday whether those arrested would be named suspects.

Contacted separately, KPK deputy chairman Busyro Muqoddas confirmed that the arrested governor was Annas.

“Yes, [we arrested Governor Annas]. We also arrest a number of other people in the operation,” Busyro told The Jakarta Post on Thursday night.

Annas was reported to the National Police in late August by Wide Wirawati, 38, the daughter of prominent Riau figure Soemardi Thaher, for allegedly sexually assaulting her in May.

Soemardi said that Wide was assaulted by the governor in a room at his private residence on Jl. Belimbing, Pekanbaru, Riau, on May 30, when the 38-year-old woman met with Annas to sign a document pertaining to a training project at the provincial administration.

When asked whether the bribe was connected to allegations that Annas tried to bribe a police officer in a move to halt the ongoing investigation at the National Police, Busyro said, “We are exploring all possibilities, I cannot confirm anything now. It is better not to speculate.”

Busyro also refused to say if one of the nine arrested was a police officer.

Johan said that he did not know whether a police officer was among those arrested. He said that KPK investigators seized billions of rupiah in the operation in Cibubur.

“There were rupiah and Singapore dollars. The status of the nine people will be announced 24 hours from now,” Johan added. “We are currently counting the seized money. The money was seized from a house in the CitraGran housing complex.”

Johan further said: “the arrest took place at 7 p.m. in CitraGran housing complex in Cibubur. We managed to bring the detainees at 9 p.m. to the KPK headquarters for questioning. We have 24 hours to determine whether they will be named suspects or not.”

 Annas is the first active governor to be arrested red-handed by the KPK. Earlier, the KPK also nabbed Karawang regent Ade Swara for allegedly receiving bribes from a businessman with regard to the issuance of a land permit in Karawang.

Annas’ lawyer Eva Nora confirmed that his client along with his wife and his adjutant were arrested by the KPK. (Haeril Halim)