Fana Suparman, Jakarta – Indramayu district head Supendi was named a corruption suspect on Tuesday, only eight months since he assumed his post.

Supendi was arrested earlier on Monday along with the West Java district's public works head Omarsyah, state road projects head Wempy Triyono and a businessman named Carsa A.S. over bribery allegations in various projects.

Supendi became the district head in February after his predecessor Anna Sophana resigned from the post.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) alleged that Supendi frequently asked for money from Carsa, whose companies work on a number of public works projects assigned by the district government.

"SU [Supendi] allegedly started to demand money from CS [Carsa] in May 2019, totalling Rp 100 million," KPK deputy chairman Basaria Panjaitan told a press conference on Tuesday evening.

Omarsyah and Wempy also demanded money from Carsa after his companies were awarded several projects by the district government.

"CS won seven projects from the Indramayu public works office worth around Rp 15 billion [$1 million] in total, funded entirely by the district government," Basaria said.

Carsa's companies, including Agung Resik Pratama, were involved in the construction of several roads in the district.

The KPK said Carsa promised 5-7 percent of the project's value as kickback for Supendi and the other officials.

Supendi is alleged to have received at least Rp 200 million from him. Omarsyah allegedly received Rp 350 million and a bicycle worth Rp 20 million. Meanwhile, Wempy took a total of Rp 560 million between August and October.

"It was alleged that part of the money received by OMS [Omarsyah] and WT [Wempy Triyono] also went to the district head," Basaria said.

The three officials were charged under Article 12 of the 1999 Anti-Corruption Law that carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment for corrupt state officials.

Carsa could face five years in jail for bribing state officials according to the same law.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indramayu-district-head-named-graft-suspect