Rohidin Mersyah Allegedly Asked For Money When Bank Bengkulu Selection Of Employees

KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika (Tsa Tsia/VOI)

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the request for money made by the inactive Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah to Bank Bengkulu during the employee selection process. This step was taken by examining two witnesses.

"The witness was investigated regarding the request for money by the suspect RM in the process of selecting employees at Bank Bengkulu," said KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardhika to reporters in a statement quoted on Monday, February 3.

The two witnesses questioned by investigators were the Director of Compliance with Bank Bengkulu, Jufrizal Eka Putra and Mulkan as Director of Operations at Bank Bengkulu. "The examination was carried out at the KPK office, Kuningan Persada," said Tessa.

Tessa has not yet detailed the amount collected from the selection process. However, the money was allegedly used by Rohidin, who again ran for the 2024 Pilkada.

In this case, investigators also examined another witness, namely Ahmad Hendi, who is the Head of the Central Bengkulu PPD UPTD. There are a number of things that are being investigated, said Tessa, including the request for money for Rohidin's candidacy.

"The witness was investigated regarding the request for logistical assistance for RM winning," he said

The KPK held a hand arrest operation (OTT) in Bengkulu Province on Saturday, November 23 and brought eight people for questioning. Three people were later named as suspects, namely Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah, Bengkulu Provincial Secretary (Sekda) Isnan Fajri and Evrianshah alias Anca who are the Adc Governor of Bengkulu.

When the OTT was carried out, investigators found IDR 7 billion in rupiah currency denominations, US dollars, and Singapore dollars. The extortion and acceptance of gratuities is said to finance Rohidin, who is back running as a candidate for incumbent.

As a result of his actions, these three suspects are suspected of violating Article 12 letter e and Article 12B in Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended in Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 55 of the Criminal Code.