JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Patrice Rio Capella, secretary general of Nasdem Party, a political party led by media baron Surya Paloh, has been named as suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in a bribery scandal related to the handling of the social assistance fund case at the High Prosecutor Office (Kejati) of North Sumatra and the Attorney General Office (AGO).
The KPK’s decision on naming Patrice as suspect was announced in a press briefing held at the KPK’s office on Thursday (Oct. 15) afternoon. The case dragged down Patrice as suspect, KPK said, is developed from the case implicating famous lawyer Otto Cornelis (OC) Kaligis and Governor of North Sumatra Gatot Pujo Nugroho.
Patrice himself has resigned from his party following the KPK’s decision. Patrice, moreover, has not yet decided on whether or not to file a pre-trial petition against KPK’s decision on naming him as suspect.
Born in Curup, Bengkulu, on April 16, 1969, the 44-year-old politician serves as Nasdem’s secretary general since 2013. Previously, he served as chairman of Nasdem Party for two years (2011-2013) before Surya Paloh crowned as the new party chairman.
Prior to join Nasdem, Patrice was politician from the National Mandate Party (PAN). He was chairman of PAN for Bengkulu chapter. He was even also listed as PAN lawmaker at the Legislative Council (DPRD) of Bengkulu for two periods (1999-2004 and 2004-2009). (haryantosuharman@yosefardi.