The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named the Director General of Sea Transportation, Antonius Tonny Budiono, as a suspect in a bribery case related to a dredging project in Tanjung Emas Port, Semarang. Antonius was apprehended in a sting operation (OTT) by the anti-corruption agency on Wednesday morning (August 23rd).
During the investigation, the KPK discovered allegedly illicit funds totaling Rp 20.74 billion, comprising Rp 18.9 billion found in several backpacks and Rp 1.7 billion in a bank ATM account. As reported by Koran Tempo on Friday (August 25th), this is the largest amount of evidence ever seized in a KPK sting operation. The previous largest seizure was Rp 8.14 billion during the 2013 arrest of the Head of the Upstream Oil and Gas Activity Implementing Unit (SKK Migas), Rudi Rubiandini.
The government's ongoing war on corruption has failed to deter those who steal public funds. Insufficient punishment for convicted corruptors and luxurious treatment in prison have not deterred officials and businessmen from colluding to embezzle public money.
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