KPK Confiscates Data On Money Flow From Search Related To The Case Of The Governor Of North Maluku

JAKARTA - Investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confiscated data related to the flow of money while searching the house of the Governor of North Maluku (Malut) Abdul Ghani Kasuba and a number of other locations.

"Various documents were found and secured related to the project, data on the flow of money and a sum of money, as well as electronic goods," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri when confirmed in Jakarta, Friday, December 22, confiscated by Antara.

The locations searched by investigators included the residence of suspect Abdul Ghani Kasuba in Jakarta, the official residence of the North Maluku governor and several official offices, as well as the residence of the private sector.

The search related to the alleged corruption case was carried out on December 20-21 in the areas of Jakarta, Tangerang, and Ternate City.

The KPK has named Abdul Gani Kasuba as a suspect in the alleged bribery case for the procurement of goods and services as well as granting permits within the North Maluku Provincial Government.

Investigators also immediately detained Abdul Ghani Kasuba and five other people who had been named suspects.

"The Investigative Team detained suspects AGK, AH, DI, RA, RI, and ST, respectively, for the first 20 days, starting from December 19, 2023 to January 7, 2024 at the KPK Detention Center," said KPK Deputy Chair Alexander Marwata at the KPK's Red and White House, Jakarta, Wednesday (20/12).

Apart from Abdul Ghani Kasuba, five other suspects are the Head of the North Maluku Provincial Government Housing and Settlement Service, Adnan Hasanudin (AH), Head of the Maluku Provincial Government PUPR Service Daud Ismail (DI), Head of BPPBJ North Maluku Provincial Government Ridwan Arsan (RA), aide to the governor Ramadhan Ibrahim (RI), and the private sector Stevi Thomas (ST).

The construction of the case began when the North Maluku Provincial Government carried out a project to procure goods and services with a budget sourced from the local APBD.

In his position as governor, Abdul Ghani Kasuba is suspected of participating in determining who the contractors can win in the job project auction.

Suspect Abdul Ghani then determined the amount of the deposit from the contractors. In addition, he also agreed and asked the suspect AH, DI, and RA to manipulate the progress of the work as if it had been completed above 50 percent so that the budget could be disbursed immediately.

As initial evidence, there was money that entered the holding account in the amount of around Rp. 2.2 billion. The money was then used, among others, for Abdul Ghani's personal interests in the form of payment for hotel stay and payment for dentists.

For his actions, the suspects ST, AH, DI, and KW as bribe givers were suspected of violating Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or b or Article 13 of Law (UU) Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.

Meanwhile, the suspects AGK, RI, and RA as bribe recipients were suspected of violating Article 12 letter a or b or Article 11 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.