Jakarta. Markus Alim, the chief executive officer of leading home appliance producer Maspion, underwent questioning at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) building in Jakarta on Wednesday as a key witness in the bribery case against former Sidoarjo Regent Saiful Ilah.

Markus, who is also the CEO of Indal Alumunium Industry, refused to respond to questions from journalists after the interrogation was concluded.

Wearing a surgical mask, Markus left the building without saying a word under the protection of his security guards and KPK’s officials.

He is the second top businessman from the East Java town to be interrogated in connection to the graft case after the commission also summoned Soedomo Mergonoto, the CEO of Indonesia’s major coffee producer and distributor Kapal Api. 

On March 7, the KPK arrested Saiful, who served as a regent from 2010-2021, over accusations that he had taken up to Rp 15 billion in bribe money from the business community. He is also accused of accepting luxury items like watches, bags, jewelry, and cell phones.

The commission said the cash in various denominations and luxury items had been handed to Saiful under the disguise as birthday or Eid al-Fitr gifts while he was in office.

Two businessmen identified as Ibnu Gofur and Totok Sumedi were detained by the KPK for allegedly bribing Saiful.