The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named North Maluku’s East Halmahera regent, Rudy Erawan, a suspect in a bribery case pertaining to infrastructure construction in Maluku during the 2016 budget year.

“RE is suspected to have accepted kickbacks,” KPK deputy chairman Saut Situmorang said during a press briefing on Wednesday, referring to Rudy by his initials.

The suspect naming, he added, was a result of the KPK’s investigation into a bribery case revolving around several botched construction projects in the province. The case came to light during an operation by graft busters in Jakarta in January 2016.

During the operation, the antigraft body arrested and named several people bribery suspects, including Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) lawmaker Damayanti Wisnu Putranti and businessman Abdul Khoir.

In Wednesday’s press briefing, Saut claimed Abdul, along with other contractors, had given kickbacks to Amran Mustari, head of the Public Works and Housing Ministry’s highway and bridge construction department for the Maluku region. Amran has been found guilty in the case.

“Amran gave money to Rudy, who is alleged to have accepted Rp 6.3 billion [US$470,000],” Saut said.

Rudy is the eleventh suspect to be named in the case. (dmr)