Head Of Ambon City Government Office Rustam Simanjuntak Denies Orders From Subordinates To Burn Evidence Of Bribery Case For Alfamidi Outlet Construction

JAKARTA - Head of the Ambon City Public Housing and Settlement Area, Rustam Simanjuntak, denied ordering his subordinates to burn documents allegedly related to the bribery of permits for the construction of Alfamidi outlets.

This was conveyed after undergoing an examination at the Red and White building of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Rustam is a witness in the alleged bribery case for permits to build Alfamidi outlets that ensnared the inactive Ambon Mayor Richard Louhenapessy.

"Nothing (ordered to burn documents, ed)," said Rustam at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Friday, June 10.

This objection, continued Rustam, has also been conveyed to the investigators who examined him today. According to him, his subordinate, Florensa Riupasa, had the initiative to destroy the evidence.

"There was no order from me," he said.

Rustam said Florensa burned the document because she was afraid she would be caught in a bribery allegation that the anti-corruption commission is currently investigating. The documents that were burned were details of official activities throughout 2022.

"So I was in the room, the investigator said 'what document do you want to burn', then, Ola said, 'Pak Kadis doesn't know this, it's my own initiative'. That's what Ola said," he said.

"According to Ola, those are the details of the 2022 activities. That's it. So the details of the 2022 activities, then Ola burns, that's why she's nervous. She's nervous, she's scared, she burns the trash. That's the 2022 details, according to Ola to me," added Rustam.

Rustam denied that he had received bribes from Richard. The construction of Alfamidi outlets, he continued, was not related to his duties.

"No, there is no (receipt of money, ed)," he said.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) once said that there was evidence in the alleged bribery case which was destroyed by burning by an employee at the Ambon City Government on the orders of an office head. Later, a copy of the document was found by investigators.

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.