Bengkulu Lawmaker Questioned by KPK Over Alleged Project Bribery

Bengkulu City lawmaker Bambang Hermanto appeared before Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission, known as KPK, as investigators expanded an alleged project procurement bribery case.

Hermanto, chair of Commission I of the Bengkulu City Regional House of Representatives, arrived at KPK's Red and White Building in Jakarta at 8:03 a.m. on Friday to answer investigators' summons.

His questioning forms part of a case that previously ensnared Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari and four other suspects. KPK has since widened the investigation to alleged corruption in Bengkulu City, although it had not announced any new suspects in that expansion by the time Hermanto was questioned.

As part of the inquiry, investigators searched several locations in Bengkulu City and seized about 4 billion rupiah in cash from the home of Noprisman, head of the city's Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency. They also seized assets belonging to Bengkulu City assembly member Vinna Ledy Anggraheni.

Hermanto was questioned as a witness. The investigation remains focused on alleged bribery involving procurement projects in Rejang Lebong and other parts of Bengkulu province.