G

raft busters are starting the year off with handcuffs at the ready.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested on Thursday Abdul Latif, the regent of Hulu Sungai Tengah regency in South Kalimantan, in its first sting this year.

Abdul was apprehended in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan for allegedly accepting bribes related to the construction of a region-owned hospital.

In the operation, investigators also arrested three other suspects: alleged bribe recipients Hulu Sungai Tengah Chamber of Commerce head Fauzan Rifani and Abdul Basit, director of PT Sugriwa Agung; as well as the alleged payer of Rp 3.6 billion (US$268,560) in bribes Donny Winoto, director of PT Menara Agung.

Abdul, is an elite of political newcomer the Berkarya Party. His case has also raised questions about the recruitment and integrity system of the new political party, which was founded by Hutomo “Tommy” Mandala Putra, the son of former president Soeharto, who led an authoritarian regime.

Abdul, the head of Berkarya’s South Kalimantan office, took office as a regent in February 2016. He was a Golkar Party lawmaker before joining Berkarya, which is trying to make its way to contest the 2019 legislative election.

Berkarya, just like other political parties, is being assessed by the General Elections Commission (KPU) to determine whether it is eligible to take part in the election.

Berkarya chairwoman Neneng Tutty told The Jakarta Post that Abdul’s arrest had shocked the party.

“He hasn’t experienced problems managing the party. But this graft case is not about him as a party member, but him as a regent,” she said.

Neneng, however, admitted that the party did not hold screenings for party members.

However, she ensured that the party did not randomly appoint members to hold such important positions.

“I hope this serves as a lesson for all of us, and we should be more selective in the future,” she said.

KPK chairman Agus Rahardjo said it was not the first time Latif had been implicated in a graft case.

“In 2005, when he was a contractor, he was also involved in a graft case related to the development of a new building for SMA 1 Labuan Emas Utara state senior high school,” Agus said.

However, despite his conviction, he became a member of the South Kalimantan Legislative Council in 2014 after serving jail time.

“This is a warning for all of us. We will hold a regional election in the near future. Please check the candidates’ history before you select them, because they are the ones who will develop your region. Pick good people with clean records,” Agus said.