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KPK arrests Kudus regent again, putting second chance in office at risk
The KPK has named Muhammad Tamzil a suspect for allegedly accepting bribes pertaining to a career promotion in the regency administration.
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Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputy chief Basaria Panjaitan. (Antara/Aprillio Akbar)
R
esidents of Kudus, Central Java, might have hoped that Muhammad Tamzil, who served as Kudus regent from 2003 to 2008, had learned his lesson when they elected him as the region’s head again.
In February 2015, Tamzil was sentenced to one year and 10 months’ imprisonment with a Rp 100 million (US$7,159) fine for his role in a corruption case pertaining to funding for educational facilities and infrastructure in Kudus in the 2004 budget. Tamzil completed his sentence in December 2015 and won the regent’s seat in the election three years later.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) apprehended him last week for allegedly accepting bribes, only months after he was installed as regent.
During a press briefing on Saturday, the KPK named Tamzil a suspect for allegedly accepting bribes pertaining to a career promotion in the regency administration.
KPK deputy chief Basaria Panjaitan said the case began when Tamzil asked one of his staff members, Agus Soeranto, to gather Rp 250 million to pay the regent’s personal debts. Tamzil met Agus at Kedungpane Penitentiary in Semarang, Central Java, when the former was completing his prison sentence.
When Tamzil was elected as Kudus regent last year, he appointed Agus as a special staff member.
According to the KPK, Agus later discussed with Tamzil’s assistant Uka Wisnu Sejati about how they could fulfill the regent’s demand. Later, Uka asked the Kudus Asset Wealth and Income Agency acting secretary, Akhmad Sofian, for the money in exchange for a promotion within the administration. Akhmad had previously asked Uka to convey to the regent that he hoped he could be given a promotion.
