"We will, in principle, ensure that public services would not be affected by yesterday's events," Yogyakarta acting mayor Sumadi stated here on Friday.
Sumadi said that the authority would await KPK's investigation process and the final status of the arrested individuals before taking any decisions.
"Our decision will depend on the (individuals') status designated by the KPK. Heads in municipal offices must not be (sitting) vacant, and we must designate an acting officer (in case of leadership absence)," the acting mayor noted.
Sumadi, who is in the second week of his acting mayorship, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the municipal apparatus will maintain its integrity and realise clean governance and bureaucracy.
"Honestly, I am shocked by this case and not expecting that this will happen," he stated.
The acting mayor expressed readiness to take requisite measures to thwart corruption in the municipal administration and reminded officials to take a cue from Suyudi's arrest to rectify their behaviour.
Related news: State apparatus should uphold integrity to reject gratuities: KPK
"From the first day, I had urged the municipal apparatus to maintain neutrality," Sumadi noted.
Meanwhile, speaker of the Yogyakarta municipal legislature, Danang Rudiyatmoko, also expressed shock over Suyudi's arrest by the anti-graft agency, particularly as the city administration had been successful in recording a perfect audit score for 13 consecutive periods under the former mayor.
"I am indeed shocked (by the arrest). The arrest is a valuable lesson for all of us. Now, I still have no information about his case, but it is certain that it is related to a bribery case," Rudiyatmoko affirmed.
He presumed that Suyudi was arrested due to bribery that was not affecting the regional financial administration.
"The KPK had indeed conducted a lengthy investigation before arresting officials within the Yogyakarta municipal administration," the speaker stated.
Related news: KPK reopens face-to-face public services
Translator: Eka Arifa R, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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