T

he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Friday detained North Sumatra Governor Syamsul Arifin for alleged corruption during his tenure as Langkat regent from 2000 to 2007.

The case had allegedly caused up to Rp 102 billion (US$11.42 million) in losses to the local administration.

After a seven-hour questioning session, Syamsul told reporters he was not surprised at his arrest, saying “this is part of the risk of becoming a leader”.

Syamsul will be detained at Cipinang penitentiary, pending his trial.

Syamsul’s attorney Yoni Agustiono said he had conveyed his objections over the arrest to investigators for health reasons and his administrative responsibilities.

“However, the investigators refused his request,” Yoni said.

Previously the commission confiscated several items of Syamsul’s property. In September, the KPK confiscated a Rp 600 million Jaguar automobile from Syamsul’s daughter, Beby Ardiana. The car was allegedly bought using money earned through Syamsul’s corrupt practices.

Early this month, The commission seized a house in Raffles Hills housing estate in Cibubur that belonged to Syamsul’s friend. The house was also suspected to have been purchased illegally using funds from the Langkat regional budget.

The commission also confiscated millions of rupiah, including Rp 3 million from singer and actress Dorce Gamalama, who had allegedly obtained the money from Syamsul for a performance years ago.

Syamsul, a Golkar Party politician, was named a suspect in the case by the KPK in April this year.

The alleged corruption was revealed after the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) released its audit of the financial report of Langkat Regency.

In the report, released in March 2009, the agency noted an alleged misappropriation of funds in the regency budgets between 2000 and 2007, which had cost the regency around Rp 102 billion in losses.

The losses were caused by the use of local cash for expenditures that were not allocated in the regency budgets, including Rp 21.5 billion claimed for various activities by several regional working units.

The Public Affairs Agency also allegedly requested money from several companies holding projects under the agency. The money was suspected to have gone to local officials in the regency and to third parties.

While Syamsul had returned Rp 67 billion to the state, the KPK continued its investigation and intends to prosecute him for allegedly violating Articles 2, 3 and 8 of the 2001 Law on Corruption. (lnd)