Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will continue investigating a case implicating acting Pekanbaru mayor Risnandar Mahiwa by looking into the possible involvement of other parties suspected of benefitting from the alleged graft.
"The KPK will continue to delve deeper and further develop the investigation of this case, including looking into other parties suspected of possibly receiving the funds," KPK deputy chairman Nurul Ghufron said at a press conference at the KPK headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday, as reported by kompas.com.
In addition, the KPK is also exploring the possibility of investigating accusations of money laundering related to the case.
KPK investigators conducted a sting operation in Pekanbaru on Monday, seizing Rp 6.8 billion (US$426.095) in cash linked to Risnandar's case.
Risnandar has been named a suspect in the case and is accused of accepting Rp 2.5 billion taken illicitly from the city budget. Ghufron said there had been multiple deductions from the general affairs division of the City Secretariat since July.
Beyond Risnandar, Pekanbaru city secretary Indra Pomi Nasution also allegedly benefited from the budget deduction.
"In November 2024, there was an increase in the Secretariat's budget, including budget [allocations] for meals and refreshments in the 2024 revised city budget. From this increase, the acting mayor is suspected of receiving a share of Rp 2.5 billion," said Ghufron.
Investigators said general affairs section acting head Novin Karmila was allegedly assisted by Mariya Ulfa and Tengku Suhaila in recording the flow of funds. The records were made to enable budget cuts allegedly intended for the acting mayor and the city secretary.
Indra Pomi and Novin have also been named suspects in the case. They, along with the other suspects in the case, are being held at the KPK's detention center for an initial period of 20 days, from Wednesday to Dec. 22.