The regent of Tulungagung in East Java, Syahri Mulyo is now in the custody of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) after the regional leader, who is accused of involvement in a graft case, turned himself in.

KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said Syahri would be held at a detention center at the East Jakarta Police headquarters for the first 20 days.

Last night, Syahri arrived at the KPK office at 9:30 p.m. and underwent questioning, which was attended by KPK deputy chairman Saut Situmorang.

“We appreciate his surrender. The cooperative attitude toward the law will obviously result in a better outcome for the suspect and the case-handling process,” Febri said in a statement.

Syahri and Blitar Mayor Muhammad Samanhudi Anwar have been accused of accepting bribes from a businessman identified as Susilo Purnomo, who has also been charged in the case.

The Blitar mayor was the first to surrender to the KPK. 

The KPK arrested Susilo along with other four people and seized Rp 2.5 billion (US$ 179,000) during two separate raids in Blitar and Tulungagung on Wednesday. 

Susilo had allegedly paid Rp 1.5 billion and 2.5 billion to Samanhudi and Syahri, respectively, kompas.com reported. (stu/ahw)