Political Costs Are, Indeed, Expensive

We do not know what is in the minds of some politicians in this country. It seems they never learn, and just keep getting involved in corruption.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

KPK Deputy Chairman Johanis Tanak (center) exposed the detention of the Kapuas Regent, Ben Brahim S Bahat, and his wife who is a member of the DPR for the Nasdem Party faction, Ary Egahny at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (28/3/2023).

The latest one, as reported by this daily, on Wednesday (29/3/2023), the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), was the recent arrest of a pair of politicians, Ben Brahim S Bahat and his wife, Ary Egahny. Ben is the regent of Kapuas, Central Kalimantan; Ary, a member of the House of Representatives from Nasdem Party. They are not the first pair of politicians in this country to be arrested by KPK due to their involvement in corruption.

Ben and Ary are suspected of committing corruption to fund their political expenses, in regional head elections and legislative elections, in addition to paying pollsters and making ends meet. Ben is suspected of receiving gratuities from private parties, while Ary is suspected of asking for money or luxury items from a number of work unit heads in Kapuas regency. The two are estimated to have received Rp 8.7 billion (US$578,790) in corruption proceeds.