Asian Cities News

Gubernur Jatim Khofifah diperiksa KPK terkait kasus dana hibah pokmas 2021–2022. Guru Besar Unair tegaskan, pemeriksaan saksi belum tentu tanda keterlibatan. Foto iNewsSurabaya.id/lukman

East Java Governor Khofifah Investigated by KPK Regarding East Java Grant Funds, Says Unair Professor

header img
East Java Governor Khofifah was questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding the 2021–2022 community grant fund case. A professor from Unair emphasized that witness questioning does not necessarily indicate involvement.

SURABAYA – The Governor of East Java underwent questioning by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigative team on Thursday (10/7/2025) at the East Java Regional Police Headquarters. The questioning was conducted in her capacity as a witness in a case involving alleged corruption sourced from the East Java Provincial Budget for the 2021–2022 fiscal year.

In response to the questioning, a professor from Airlangga University (Unair) stated that the presence of a regional leader as a witness is a normal part of legal proceedings.

“Regional leaders are indeed responsible for managing local finances as regulated by Law No. 23 of 2014. However, it is important to note that being questioned as a witness does not imply involvement in criminal acts,” the professor explained.

The professor further clarified that during investigations, the KPK requires information from various sources, including witnesses, experts, and suspects. Witness testimonies are a crucial element in reconstructing the chronology and determining whether a criminal act occurred.

“Witness statements will be cross-checked and verified against other evidence gathered by investigators. They cannot stand alone,” the professor added.

The professor also reminded the public not to rush to conclusions, noting that this case involves the distribution of community grant funds originating from legislative proposals or public hearings.

According to the professor, the grant fund budgeting system legally involves both the executive and legislative branches through the regional budget formulation process. However, if deviations occur in practice, law enforcement should target the actual perpetrators.

“Whoever commits unlawful acts or abuses authority to the detriment of state finances must be held criminally responsible,” the professor emphasized.

In this case, the KPK has named 21 individuals as suspects. Four are bribe recipients, including three state officials and one staff member, while the remaining 17 are bribe givers—comprising 15 private parties and two state officials.

However, the KPK has not yet publicly disclosed the identities of these suspects.

Echoing the professor’s stance, an Administrative Law expert from Unair urged the public not to be swayed by unfounded opinions circulating in society.

“What determines whether an act constitutes a criminal offense is the investigator’s assessment, based on legal facts, evidence, and exhibits—not just conflicting witness statements,” the expert said.

Legal proceedings involving public officials should be viewed proportionally. Being questioned as a witness is part of the investigative process to uncover facts, not an indication of direct involvement.

The public is advised to uphold the presumption of innocence and await the official investigation results from the KPK.

East Java Regional Police Headquarters

The **East Java Regional Police Headquarters** is the central command for law enforcement in East Java Province, Indonesia. Established during the Dutch colonial era, it has evolved into a modern policing institution responsible for maintaining security and order in the region. The headquarters plays a key role in coordinating police operations, crime prevention, and community safety across East Java.

Airlangga University (Unair)

Airlangga University (Unair), established in 1954 in Surabaya, Indonesia, is one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious public universities. Named after King Airlangga, an 11th-century Javanese monarch, it was founded to advance education and research in medicine, law, and social sciences. Today, Unair is recognized for its academic excellence and contributions to Indonesia’s development.