S Kalimantan police names principal suspect of extortion

Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - The illegal levies eradication task force (Saber Pungli) of South Kalimantan Regional Police named a state high school principal and his deputy as suspects in alleged illegal levies against prospective students.

"The Headmaster MG and Vice Principal of Curriculum MK have been named as suspects after a red-handed operation (OTT) at SMAN 10 Banjarmasin," said Police Chief Brigadier General Rachmat Mulyana here on Wednesday.

He said both were charged under Article 12 letter e Act no. 20/2001 on the amendment to Law No. 31/1999 on the eradication of corruption with a minimum threat of four years and maximum of 20 years prison and a fine of at least Rp200 million and a maximum of Rp1 billion.

"The perpetrator misused the authority by collecting a sum of money to parents of the students with the donation mode with a promise the child to be received at the school," said the police chief at the exposure of evidence at South Kalimantan Police Headquarters with Assistant Ombudsman of South Kalimantan Representative M Firhansyah.

According to police chief, the Saber Pungli team is still deepening whether the funds collected also flow to other parties outside the two suspects.

"Money itself has been partially distributed to their subordinates by saying as incentives, THR and others," he said.

To be sure, said police chief, the case has become a shock therapy for teachers in other schools not to do the same.

"I am sure the school wayward will use a different new mode," said Rachmat who was accompanied by Saber Pungli team leader Sr Comr (Kombes) Djoko Poerbo Hadijojo and Director of Special Crime Investigation (Dirreskrimsus) Sr Comr Rizal Irawan.

In particular the one-star general gave a thumbs up for his ranks at Saber Pungli because OTT at the school is only this time was revealed in Indonesia.

"Even Saber Pungli South Kalimantan, until now has revealed 24 cases that became the largest in Indonesia, and this record of a performance achievement should be appreciated," said police chief full of pride.

Meanwhile, Assistant Ombudsman of South Kalimantan Firhansyah appreciated Saber Pungli's rapid response to his party's report related to a number of wayward officials in the school who took illegal levies in the admissions process.

Antaranews previously reported the team on Monday (17/7) found evidence of Rp5 million and Rp80 million in account books allegedly the result of illegal school fees against parents in the process of admission of new students.

The money deposited by parents also varies from Rp750 thousand to Rp5 million from the offline admission. Whereas Education Minister Decree (Permendikbud) does not set the admission other than online system for public schools.