Recruited for Honesty Now Becomes a Suspect of Fraud, Here's How a Personal Assistant Can Get Close to Officials

Dream - The arrest of Muhammad Akbar Pera Baharudin, better known as Personal Assistant, in the alleged case of fraud and embezzlement of luxury car sales worth Rp1.3 billion, implicates his former boss.

It is known that the Personal Assistant had previously worked for his former boss, who was the Secretary General of the Indonesian National Construction Executives Association (Gapensi), Andi Rukman Karumpa.

Andi was known to have brought Akbar in as his personal assistant after previously working as a scavenger. With his funny style in his posts, Akbar began to be famous as a celebrity on social media.

While working as Andi's personal assistant, Akbar often accompanied his boss in meetings with businessmen, officials, and even high-ranking military and police officers.

Some officials and businessmen have even appeared in posts on the Instagram account @ajudan_pribadi when they were together with his boss.

The Beginning of the Personal Assistant's Career

The beginning of the Personal Assistant's journey was revealed by Indra Rukman, the son of Andi Rukman Karumpa. Indra admitted that Akbar was able to enter their family circle and was considered like a younger brother.

"Because many people have been messaging me on WhatsApp or calling me to ask about Akbar Nyol, the Personal Assistant, and I haven't responded, I would like to convey some things here," wrote Indra Rukman on his Instagram account, @indraarukman, quoted on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

Akbar had been working for his father since they were in Makassar until he was brought to Jakarta in 2014. However, in 2020, Akbar decided to return to work in Makassar.

"It is true that we brought Akbar from Makassar to Jakarta and he became part of our family since 2014," he explained.

Complaints about the Personal Assistant's Behavior

Since returning to his hometown, according to Indra, their family has never again known what Akbar has been doing in Makassar.

During the three years of no contact, Indra admitted that the family often heard complaints about Akbar's behavior after returning home. Moreover, the Personal Assistant often used the name of Andi Rukman Karumpa's extended family for personal matters.

"There were many complaints, especially from my colleagues and business partners, about Akbar's behavior that caused trouble," continued Indra.

However, at that time, Indra did not object to the use of the family name because he already considered the Personal Assistant as his own brother.

"I apologize to friends who have been harmed by Akbar," he said.

First Meeting with the Former Boss

Indra hopes that the case of his father's former personal assistant can sincerely go through the legal process and learn from his mistakes to become a better person.

"Insha Allah, Akbar can become a better person in the future. And may Allah give strength to Akbar Nyol's family to go through this test," concluded Indra.

Meanwhile, the Personal Assistant once recounted his meeting with Andi Rukman, his former boss. It started with selling peanuts while working as a masseur at a golf course, he was once asked to massage Andi Rukmana and they exchanged phone numbers.

"I gave my phone number to the boss who was being massaged," explained the Personal Assistant on Denny Cagur's YouTube channel.

Became a Personal Assistant for Being Honest

Before becoming Andi Rukman's personal assistant, Akbar worked as a cleaner. He was appointed as a personal assistant because of his honesty.

"This one personal assistant (before him) used to steal dollars and was not honest, so he was fired. He didn't want to work for military or police assistants. So, I became his assistant," he said.

"I was tested, I was asked to buy cigarettes, and I returned the money.

"Even if we have a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or a PhD, if we are not honest, we won't be used by anyone," Akbar answered. 

Working with Andi Rukman, Akbar gained various benefits such as receiving luxury items and money in US dollars.

His life journey continued, and Akbar began to get close to several government officials because of his massage skills. His life changed, and he became a social media celebrity with 1 million followers on Instagram.

However, the success he achieved is now threatened by allegations of fraud and embezzlement. Akbar faces a four-year prison sentence for his actions.

West Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Kombes Pol M. Syahduddi, said that investigators have received a report from the victim with the initials AL alias Leo through his legal counsel. The Personal Assistant admitted to his actions to the investigators.

This case was reported on November 19, 2022. He is charged with articles 378 and 372 of the Criminal Code, which carry a maximum sentence of 4 years in prison.