KPK Reveals Source of Regent's Alleged Gratuity: Civil Servants' Income Cut

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has uncovered the alleged source of gratuities received by Suhardiman Amby, the suspected Regent of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) in Riau province. The investigation points to deductions from civil servants' salaries as a primary method for illicit fund accumulation.

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And this is what is currently being investigated by the investigation team, which is currently in Pekanbaru for examination. Perhaps colleagues have also monitored the activities.

According to Achmad Taufik Husein, the acting Director of Investigations at KPK, the first instance of alleged illicit receipt involved significant cuts to the Additional Employee Income (TPP) of civil servants. These deductions reportedly reached up to 50% of their TPP. KPK investigators are currently examining this matter further and interviewing witnesses in Pekanbaru.

A second alleged source of funds involved honorarium payments. KPK found that these payments were identified as overpayments during an audit by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK). To cover these discrepancies and avoid returning the excess funds, Suhardiman allegedly instructed his staff and civil servants within the Kuansing regional government to make contributions. These contributions were then used to reimburse the overpaid amounts, a practice KPK is investigating as a form of gratification.

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Second, there were also honorarium receipts which were later found from the results of the BPK audit to be overpayments received by the regent, so then there were methods carried out by the regent to replace, because the finding was that it had to be returned.

Currently, three individuals have been named suspects and detained by KPK in connection with alleged bribery for regional official positions and/or receiving gratuities in Kuansing between 2021 and 2026. The suspects are Regent Suhardiman Amby, Regional Secretary Zulkarnain, and Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant, Ardiles. Suhardiman faces additional charges related to the release of limited production forest areas.

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So, to return this, it was found that staff or civil servants in the Kuansing Regional Government were asked to cover it up or were asked to donate so that the regent could return what was found by the BPK. Well, we are layering this with acts of gratification.