T

he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has questioned model Fenny Steffy Burase, one of the organizers of the 2018 Aceh Marathon, as a witness in a graft case concerning the alleged embezzlement of Aceh’s special autonomy fund.

“[My client was questioned] for 12 hours regarding the flow of money in the case,” Steffy’s lawyer Fahri Timur said on Wednesday night.

The antigraft body has named Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf a suspect in the case for allegedly accepting Rp 500 million (US$34,668) from Bener Meriah Regent Ahmadi — who has also been named a suspect — as part of a Rp 1.5 billion “commitment fee” related to an infrastructure project in the regency.

The KPK’s initial investigation found that some of the money transferred to the governor was allegedly used to buy clothing and medals for the upcoming marathon.

Steffy and her lawyer, however, denied the allegations.

“I have only had a professional relationship with the governor since last year in connection with the 2018 Aceh Marathon,” Steffy said, denying rumors that she had a personal relationship with Irwandi.

Steffy was among the witnesses slapped by a travel ban that the KPK had requested from immigration authorities.

Irwandi and other suspects in the case were arrested on July 3 in Banda Aceh and Bener Meriah.