The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf at his official residence in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, at around 7 p.m. on Tuesday. KPK investigators also arrested Bener Meriah Regent Ahmadi.
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ANTARA FOTO/IRWANSYAH PUTRA
Irwandi Yusuf
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf at his official residence in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, at around 7 p.m. on Tuesday (3/7/2018).
KPK investigators also arrested Bener Meriah Regent Ahmadi and private sector workers in Bener Meriah regency.
KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah confirmed the arrests at a press conference on Tuesday evening in Jakarta. “The KPK has arrested 10 individuals: two regional heads and eight private sector workers. They are currently being questioned,” he said.
Reports say that Irwandi and Ahmadi were arrested for alleged corruption in connection with a road infrastructure development project in Bener Meriah.
During the arrest, the KPK also seized Rp 500 million (US$34,850) in cash, which was reportedly a commission paid for drawing up the project budget.
KPK investigators immediately escorted Irwandi to Aceh Police headquarters in Jeulingke, Banda Aceh, where they were still questioning him at midnight on Tuesday.
Aceh provincial spokesperson Wiratmadinata and Aceh Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Misbahul Munawar have not made any statements to date since Monday evening. Their cell phones were inactive when Kompas tried to call them.
KPK investigators escorted Bener Meriah Regent Ahmadi to the Bener Meriah Police station for questioning. The KPK also arrested eight other persons.
Bener Meriah regency is located in the Gayo highlands, which is famed for producing Arabica coffee, and was separated from Aceh Tengah regency in 2003.
Since his reelection as Aceh governor in 2017, Irwandi has lived primarily at his private residence in Lampriek, Banda Aceh. He only uses his official residence for receiving guests.
Irwandi has been Aceh governor since 2007.
Aceh’s 2018 regional budget is Rp 15.19 trillion, higher than its 2017 revised budget of Rp 14.91 trillion. Aceh province has special autonomy status and is eligible for a large amount of funding from the central government.
