The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stated that the Governor of South Kalimantan (Kalsel) Sahbirin Noor had disappeared. However, the location of his escape was pocketed by investigators.
“The information I got is that investigators still have options for location information where the person concerned can be found,” said KPK spokesperson Tessa Mahardhika Sugiarto at the KPK’s Red and White Building, South Jakarta, today.
Tessa was reluctant to detail the location of the escape of the man known as Uncle Birin who was taken into custody by investigators. The search for suspects in the bribery case for three projects in South Kalimantan is confirmed to be still ongoing.
“But the information we got is still information that we cannot share openly here, for investigators to investigate, visit and look for the whereabouts of the person concerned,” said Tessa.
According to Tessa, the location data is a consideration for investigators who have not yet designated Sahbirin as a fugitive. Because, he continued, the search options had not yet found a dead end.
“Generally a DPO (wanted list) is issued after all options have been exhausted and there is nothing else available, there is no information of any kind, law enforcement issues a DPO,” said Tessa.
The KPK believes that Sahbirin has not yet fled outside Indonesia. This belief was based on a letter of prevention that the Anti-Corruption Agency had requested from the Directorate General of Immigration, Ministry of Law and Human Rights Imipas.
“The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has carried out a process of banning or preventing people from going abroad, so we still have confidence that the person concerned is at home, not abroad,” explained Tessa.
Sahbirin was declared missing by the KPK. However, his name has not been included in the wanted list (DPO). The Anti-Corruption Agency believes that Uncle Birin is still in Indonesia.
The OTT in South Kalimantan is related to alleged fraud in giving gifts or promises to state officials. The Corruption Eradication Commission found IDR 12.1 billion from this coercive effort.
The KPK named seven suspects in the OTT in South Kalimantan. They are the Governor of South Kalimantan Sahbirin Noor, the Head of the South Kalimantan PUPR Department Ahmad Solhan, the Head of the Human Settlement Division Yulianti Erlynah, the administrator of the Tahfidz Darussalam House Ahmad, the Acting Head of the Household Division of the South Kalimantan Governor Agustya Febry Andrean, and two private parties Sugeng Wahyudi and Andi Susanto.
Only Uncle Birin has not been detained by the KPK because he was not caught. The remaining six have been languishing in the designated detention center for the first 20 days. (Can/P-2)
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**Interview with Tessa Mahardhika Sugiarto, KPK Spokesperson on the Disappearance of South Kalimantan Governor Sahbirin Noor**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Tessa. Thank you for joining us today. Let’s dive right in—what can you tell us about the current situation regarding Governor Sahbirin Noor and his disappearance?
**Tessa Mahardhika Sugiarto:** Thank you for having me. As you mentioned, Governor Sahbirin Noor has been reported missing, but I want to clarify that investigators have not lost all hope in locating him. We still possess information about potential locations where he might be found, but out of respect for the ongoing investigation, I can’t disclose further specifics at this time.
**Interviewer:** That’s understandable. Can you explain why Sahbirin Noor has not yet been placed on a wanted list, also known as a DPO?
**Tessa:** Of course. The decision to issue a DPO typically comes after all other investigative options have been thoroughly exhausted. Currently, we still have potential leads, and the investigation is actively seeking to confirm his whereabouts. We believe there’s still a chance to resolve this without resorting to declaring him a fugitive.
**Interviewer:** Given that he is suspected in a bribery case involving three projects in South Kalimantan, how does the KPK assess the urgency of finding him?
**Tessa:** The matter is certainly urgent, and we take it very seriously. However, we have a structured process we must follow. Our primary aim is to gather adequate evidence and ensure we adhere to legal protocols as we continue our search. We are committed to investigating thoroughly.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the KPK believes he has not fled outside Indonesia. What leads you to this conclusion?
**Tessa:** Our belief is based primarily on intelligence and information we have gathered regarding his movements. While we are exploring all possibilities, we have no concrete evidence at this stage that he has left the country. We will continue monitoring the situation closely.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Tessa. It seems like a challenging situation for the KPK. Are there any final thoughts you’d like to share as we wrap up?
**Tessa:** The KPK remains dedicated to combating corruption, and we appreciate the public’s patience and support as we navigate through this investigation. We will keep the public informed as we progress. Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Tessa, for your insights and for keeping us updated on this evolving story.
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This interview encapsulates the current status of the case involving Governor Sahbirin Noor while shedding light on the KPK’s investigative processes.