Indonesia's KPK may question Bupati's husband in extortion probe

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is exploring the possibility of questioning the husband of the Bupati of Sukoharjo, Etik Suryani, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged extortion. Wardoyo Wijaya, who previously served as Bupati for two terms, is being examined for his potential connection to the alleged crimes.

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Whether his husband will be questioned? That is what we are currently investigating.

KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, Asep Guntur Rahayu, stated that the agency is currently probing Wardoyo's involvement. "Whether his husband will be questioned? That is what we are currently investigating," Asep said at a press conference on Saturday. He added that while Wardoyo's health is currently declining, the KPK intends to seek his testimony if medical assessments permit.

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But of course, we will still ask for information if the results of the medical check-up allow us to ask for information.

Etik Suryani was arrested on suspicion of extortion within the Sukoharjo regional government. The KPK alleges that she used official decrees, specifically a Bupati decree on the acceptance and amount of local tax collection incentives and another on the acceptance and amount of retribution collection incentives, as a tool for extortion. These decrees allegedly facilitated the "Setoran Upah Pungut (UP)" or collection fee deposits within the Sukoharjo Regional Revenue and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD).

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But in principle, anyone involved in these corruption offenses, of course, we will ask for their information. Because of course, this will complete the story or the construction that we are building.

Investigators suggest this alleged practice continued from Wardoyo's previous tenure as Bupati. Asep cited alleged commands from Wardoyo, such as "tambahan upah pungut kae ono tho?" (that collection fee supplement exists, right?) and "samakan dengan bapak" (make it the same as father's), implying that the amount of money deposited was to be consistent with previous practices under his leadership. The KPK aims to gather all relevant information to build a comprehensive case against those involved in corruption.

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The two Bupati decrees were allegedly used by ETS (Etik Suryani) as a tool to extort funds within the Sukoharjo Regional Revenue and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD).