Prabumulih, KOTABARI.COM – The State Prosecutor of Prabumulih City has detained the Head of the Poverty Handling Division at the Social Office (Dinsos) of Prabumulih City, identified as MS, as a suspect in an alleged corruption case related to the e-Warung program. On Thursday (8/31/2023), MS arrived at the Class IIB Detention Center in Prabumulih while seated in a wheelchair, accompanied by tight security measures.
During his arrival, MS made a request to the State Prosecutor of Prabumulih for a fair and unbiased examination of his case. In a brief statement, MS stated, “I hope the proceedings are as fair as possible, without any dishonesty during the examination process.”
Wearing a pink vest, MS also cautioned the State Prosecutor against making hasty decisions regarding the case. “If possible, please refrain from making impulsive decisions,” he said.
MS became a suspect after the State Prosecutor of Prabumulih City designated him as such on August 21, 2023, based on investigations and the arrest conducted by authorities at a hospital in Palembang.
Upon arriving at the Prabumulih Prosecutor’s Office before being taken to the detention center, MS appeared emotional and shouted, questioning what wrongdoing he had committed that led to his detention.
The Head of the Prabumulih City State Prosecutor’s Office, Roy Riady SH MH, along with Deputy Head of Intelligence M Ridho Syahputra SH MH and Deputy Head of Public Prosecution Rudi Firmansyah SH MH, explained that MS’s detention was related to alleged embezzlement within the e-Warung program, which involved non-cash food assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia for Beneficiary Groups (KPM).
The Investigative Team led by Faisal Basri SH revealed that around 15 to 20 witnesses, including department heads, have been questioned in connection with the case. Regarding the extent of the loss and the possibility of other suspects, Faisal Basri stated that these matters are still under investigation and further information will be provided later.
Despite MS’s use of a wheelchair, Deputy Head of Public Prosecution Rudi Firmansyah SH MH clarified that based on medical examinations conducted in Palembang, the suspect is in good health. “Although the suspect is using a wheelchair, it is within their rights, and the results of the medical examination confirm that the suspect is in a healthy condition,” he stated.
MS’s detention is expected to last for 20 days, starting from August 31 to September 19, 2023, at the Class IIB Detention Center in Prabumulih.