KPK questions former acting North Sumatra regional secretary Effendy Pohan in Topan Ginting bribery case

The investigation into the bribery case related to a road construction project in North Sumatra, involving suspect Topan Obaja Putra Ginting, continues to deepen.

A number of witnesses have been summoned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), including officials from the North Sumatra Provincial Public Works and Housing Office (PUPR), the Mandailing Natal (Madina) Regency PUPR Office, and private individuals.

Yesterday, Monday (21/7/2025), Topan Ginting’s wife was questioned. Today, Tuesday (22/7/2025), former Acting Regional Secretary of North Sumatra, MA Effendy Pohan, was interrogated.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed the questioning of Effendy Pohan, who also serves as the Assistant for Economic Affairs and Development of North Sumatra.

“Yes, it is true, he was questioned at the KPK building,” said Budi Prasetyo in response to a journalist’s confirmation via WhatsApp on Tuesday afternoon.

Budi Prasetyo stated that the questioning took place today, July 22, 2025, with Effendy Pohan appearing as a witness.

Effendy Pohan was previously known as the Head of the Regional Government Budget Team (TAPD) of North Sumatra Province when Topan Ginting served as Head of the North Sumatra PUPR Office.

Earlier, the KPK named five suspects in a sting operation in North Sumatra. The suspects include the Head of the North Sumatra Provincial PUPR Office, Topan Obaja Putra Ginting (TOP), and the Head of the UPTD Gn Tua of the North Sumatra Provincial PUPR Office, Rasuli Efendi Siregar (RES).

Additionally, the Commitment Making Officer (PPK) at the Regional I Construction Work Unit (Satker PJN) of North Sumatra Province, Heliyanto (HEL), the Director of PT DNG, M Akhirun Efendi Siregar (KIR), and the Director of PT RN, M Rayhan Dalusmi Pilang (RAY), were also named as suspects.

They were implicated in a bribery case involving the Sipiongot-Labuhan Selatan border road construction project, valued at Rp96 billion, and the Hutaimbaru-Sipiongot road construction project, valued at Rp61.8 billion.

The KPK seized Rp231 million during the sting operation in North Sumatra. However, this amount was only the remainder of funds that had already been distributed.

In this case, the bribe-givers allegedly promised bribes amounting to 10-20% of the project value, totaling Rp231.8 billion. The KPK suspects that the funds prepared for bribes reached Rp46 billion.