Situbondo, East Java. Situbondo Regent Karna Suswandi is still eligible to participate in the 2024 regional elections despite being implicated in a corruption investigation involving the management of the National Economic Recovery Fund (PEN) and the procurement of goods and services in Situbondo, East Java. The case is currently under investigation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

According to the KPK, Karna retains the right to campaign as his political rights can only be revoked if a final and binding court decision is made.

“What is prohibited is when someone has been convicted. A convict is someone who has been tried and found guilty,” said KPK Director of Investigation Asep Guntur on Friday.

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Asep also emphasized that the investigation into the alleged corruption in Situbondo is ongoing. However, he explained that the KPK has not yet detained any individuals related to the case.

“Why haven’t we detained them? Detention is not based on whether someone is participating in a campaign or not, but on the sufficiency of evidence and our readiness to proceed with detention,” Asep said.

Meanwhile, Karna has filed a pretrial motion with the South Jakarta District Court (PN Jaksel) challenging the KPK’s actions. The lawsuit was registered on Sept. 17, and the first hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1. The case classification relates to the legitimacy of Karna’s suspect status.