Bima Mayor a Corruption Suspect, Wealth Nearly Doubled Since Taking Office

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named the Mayor of Bima, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Muhammad Lutfi, as a suspect in alleged corruption involving procurement of goods and services, and gratification.

Previously, KPK Head of Public Relations Ali Fikri confirmed a search conducted by a KPK team at the Bima City Mayor's office.

"The information we have received is that today a KPK team is in Bima City collecting evidence as part of the law enforcement process," said Ali Fikri, as reported by Tempo.co on Tuesday (29/8/2023).

Ali Fikri did not detail the corruption case involving the Mayor of Bima. According to Ali, investigators will first collect all evidence before disclosing it to the public. "At the appropriate time, we will certainly convey the developments," said Ali.

Previously, the KPK also examined the Head of the Bima City Public Works and Public Housing Agency (PUPR), Muhamamad Amin, on Friday (25/8/2023).

"(The examination of Muhammad Amin) was to obtain his statement as a witness in the investigation of the alleged corruption committed by suspect Muhammad Lutfi, the Mayor of Bima for the 2018-2023 period," according to the KPK summons letter reported by Tempo.co on Wednesday (23/8/2023).

Regardless of the ongoing KPK investigation, the trend of Muhammad Lutfi's wealth has shown a significant increase since he became Mayor of Bima.

Based on data from the Report on the Wealth of State Officials (LHKPN), Lutfi first submitted his wealth report in his first year as Mayor of Bima. His wealth in 2018 was approximately Rp3.08 billion.

The latest data shows that in 2022, Lutfi's wealth had soared to Rp5.73 billion. Cumulatively, Lutfi's wealth increased by approximately Rp2.65 billion, or nearly doubled, during his four-year term as Mayor of Bima.

The majority of the Golkar politician's assets consist of land and buildings, all located in Bima City, with a total value of Rp4.01 billion. Lutfi also owns two vehicles, one motorcycle and one car, with a total value of Rp250 million.

The following is a breakdown of Mayor of Bima Muhammad Lutfi's assets in 2022 based on the LHKPN:

* Land and buildings: Rp4,010,000,000
* Transportation and machinery: Rp250,000,000
* Other movable assets: Rp819,000,000
* Securities: -
* Cash and cash equivalents: Rp658,432,483
* Other assets: -
* Liabilities: -