Bobby Nasution Ready to be Questioned by KPK After Arrest of His Close Friend, Topan Ginting

MEDAN, KOMPAS – The Governor of North Sumatra, Bobby Nasution, stated that he is ready to be examined by the Corruption Eradication Commission in a case involving his close associate, the Head of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Office of North Sumatra, Topan Ginting. When asked whether it is related to the flow of money received by Topan, Bobby mentioned that he would prove it in the legal process.

"Yes, it is a legal process that we are willing to undergo. Especially if there are allegations of money flow. I believe that if there is a flow of money to the entire ranks, not only to peers but also to subordinates or superiors, it is mandatory to provide information," said Bobby to reporters at his office on Monday (30/6/2025).

When asked whether he received funds from Topan, Bobby stated that he would prove it in the legal process. "Let's just see in court later," said Bobby.

Bobby stated that he deeply regrets the case of the hand-catching operation by the KPK involving his subordinates and two prospective contractors for the road construction leading to the remote area of Sipiongot Village, Dolok District, North Padang Lawas Regency.

Bobby stated that he would respect the investigation process conducted by the KPK. The North Sumatra Provincial Government has established a corruption eradication system. However, according to him, there are still subordinates who are negligent and abuse their authority.

The Corruption Eradication Commission on Thursday (26/6/2025) arrested five suspects in a corruption case related to the construction and maintenance of roads within the North Sumatra Public Works and Spatial Planning Office and the National Road Implementation Work Unit (Satker PJN) Region I North Sumatra, with a total project value of IDR 231.8 billion.

Five suspects who were arrested are Topan Obaja Putra Ginting (TOP), the Head of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Office of North Sumatra, Rasuli Efendi Siregar (RES), the Head of the Gunung Tua UPTD of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Office of North Sumatra, Heliyanto (HEL) from the PJN Working Unit of Region I North Sumatra, M Akhirun Efendi Siregar (KIR), the President Director of PT DNG, and M Rayhan Dulasmi Pilang (RAY), the Director of PT RN.

The corruption case is related to the Sipiongot-Labusel border road construction project valued at Rp 96 billion and the Hutaimbaru-Sipiongot road construction project valued at Rp 61.8 billion.

Bobby admitted that he had inspected the damaged road with the suspects from the North Sumatra PUPR Service and prospective contractors from the private sector.

"To be honest, I just found out that the person concerned, the one who was affected, the one from the business was also there (reviewing the road with an off-road vehicle). In fact, his car was in front of mine," said Bobby.

When asked about the position of Topan, who is close to Bobby, he mentioned that there are many in the government ranks who are close to him and have also been brought from the Medan City Government to the North Sumatra Provincial Government.

When Bobby served as the Mayor of Medan, Topan was appointed as the Head of the Water Resources, Highways, and Construction Office. Topan was then designated as the Acting Regional Secretary of the Medan City Government during the North Sumatra Gubernatorial Election.

"Many were brought from the City Government. There is Mr. Sulaiman Harahap (Head of the Inspectorate of North Sumatra Province) and there are several others we brought from Medan," said Bobby.

Previously, the Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, stated during a press conference at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Saturday (28/6/2025) that a total of IDR 2 billion had been channeled in the project commission related to the corruption case. The KPK will trace where the money has flowed.

"So there is nothing in this matter that we will exclude. If indeed the money flows to other heads of departments or to the governor, we will request information and will summon them," said Asep.

Asep said the alleged corruption in the road construction project at PUPR North Sumatra began on April 22, 2025 when KIR and DNG as prospective contractors, together with Topan and RES conducted a road survey with off-road vehicles. Bobby then participated in reviewing the road on April 24.

After the survey, Topan instructed RES to appoint KIR as a partner/provider, without going through the mechanisms and regulations in the procurement of goods and services for the Sipiongot-Labusel border road construction project and the Hutaimbaru-Sipiongot road construction project.

KIR, together with RES and the staff members of UPTD, organized the e-catalog process so that PT DGN could win the Sipiongot-Labusel border road construction project. Meanwhile, for other projects, it is recommended that the package display be given a one-week interval to avoid being too conspicuous.

In the regulation of the e-catalog process at the North Sumatra Public Works and Housing Office, there was a transfer of funds from KIR and RAY to RES through bank transfer. Additionally, it is also suspected that there were other receipts by Topan from KIR and RAY through intermediaries.