The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained Pangonal Harahap, the regent of Labuhanbatu regency in North Sumatra, after naming him a suspect in a bribery case related to infrastructure projects across the regency.

KPK deputy chairman Saut Situmorang said the regent, who was arrested in an operation on Tuesday, allegedly asked for Rp 3 billion (US$208,057) from Effendy Sahputra, owner of construction firm PT Binivan Konstruksi Abadi, to secure the company’s role in the projects.

During the operation, KPK investigators reportedly found that Effendy had written a Rp 576 million check to be disbursed at a regional development bank (BPD). The businessman allegedly ordered one of the bank’s employees to hold the money to be later given to one of the regent’s aides, identified as Umar Ritonga.

“The KPK has uncovered a new method in this crime of leaving money for other people, [which allows] people paying and accepting bribes to be in different locations during the illicit transaction,” Saut said at a press briefing on Wednesday night.

Umar has also been named a suspect for allegedly accepting some of the illicit money. Effendy has been accused of paying the bribe.

While Pangonal and Effendy have been in KPK custody since the operation, Umar is at large and has reportedly made off with Rp 500 million of illicit funds.

“We have warned UMR to surrender to the KPK immediately,” Saut said.

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