he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named two more suspects in its investigation into alleged corruption pertaining to the Meikarta development project in Bekasi regency, West Java.
The antigraft body named West Java administration secretary Iwa Karniwa and former PT Lippo Cikarang president director Bartholomeus Toto suspects on Monday in two separate graft cases related to the construction of the Meikarta township in the regency.
KPK deputy chief Saut Situmorang alleged that Iwa had received Rp 900 million (US$64,189) in bribes from an official of the Bekasi Public Works Agency in exchange for the West Java administration’s approval of the regency’s detailed spatial planning (RDTR) bylaw.
In mid-2017, the West Java administration delayed the deliberation of the bylaw — which was necessary to support the permit issuance for the Meikarta project — although the Bekasi administration had secured approval from the regency’s legislative council (DPRD) and had submitted all necessary documents.
According to the KPK, Iwa received the bribes from Neneng Rahmi, the head of the spatial planning division at the Bekasi Public Works Agency, who reportedly had also been asked for money in connection with the deliberation of the bylaw by DPRD Bekasi leaders.
“Rahmi received information that she had to meet IWK [to expedite the bylaw deliberation],” Saut said, referring to Iwa’s initials, “Later, she also heard that IWK requested Rp 1 billion in exchange for the approval of the bylaw.”
In December 2017, Rahmi reportedly handed Rp 900 million over to Iwa through a middleman in two separate occasions.
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.