KPK Investigate Flow Of Allotted Money For Mayor Of Ambon From Projects In City Government

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the alleged flow of ration money for the inactive Ambon Mayor Richard Louhenapessy.

This allegation was investigated by examining four witnesses, including the Expenditure Treasurer of the Ambon City Education Office, Lawalata on Wednesday, June 8 yesterday.

"At the KPK's Red and White Building, the investigative team has examined a number of witnesses for suspect RL," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri in a written statement, Thursday, June 9.

Apart from Lawalata, the three other witnesses examined were the three UKPBJ Working Groups of Ambon City Andrissa R. Siwabessy, Michael O. Pattinam, and Johanis Rampa.

From the examination, Ali said, there was a number of information that was investigated. Including, exploring the alleged flow of allotment money for Richard from various procurement projects in the Ambon City Government (Pemkot).

"The witnesses were present and through the knowledge of the witnesses, the investigative team continued to investigate, among others, related to the alleged flow of a sum of money in the form of rations for suspect RL from various procurement projects in several SKPDs of the Ambon City Government," he said.

As previously reported, the KPK named Ambon City Mayor Richard Louhenpessy as a suspect for accepting bribes along with his subordinates, the administrative staff of the Ambon City Government (Pemkot) Andrew Erin Hehanusa.

This bribe was given in connection with the approval for the 2020 Alfamidi minimarket retail branch construction permit in Ambon City. As for the giver, Alfamidi's employee, Amri.

In this case, the anti-corruption commission suspected that Richard had asked for an allotment of Rp. 25 million for each permit he issued. Meanwhile, regarding the construction permit for 20 Alfamidi retail outlets, Richard is suspected of receiving Rp500 million from Amri.

In addition, he is suspected of receiving a flow of funds from several parties as a gratuity. However, the KPK has not stated the number because investigators are still investigating further.