The AGK North Maluku Governor's Bribery Session, KPK Prosecutors Present 7 Witnesses

MALUKU - The Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) presented seven witnesses in the follow-up trial of the bribery case with the defendant, the former Governor of North Maluku (Malut) for two terms, Abdul Gani Kasuba (AGK), Wednesday, May 22.

The seven witnesses presented were the aide to the former Governor of North Maluku, Zaldy H. Kasuba, Muhammad Fajrin, Rizmat Akbarullah Tomayto, Ikbal B. Rahman adjutant/Pamwal as well as a member of the National Police, Lucky Rajapaty.

In addition, the KPK prosecutor also presented construction service entrepreneurs Muhammad Nur Usman and Idris Husen alias Isto as Directors of PT. Pancona Katarabumi.

The trial which took place at the Ternate State Corruption Court (Tipikor), Wednesday, May 22, was chaired by the Chairman of the Ternate District Court, Romel Francis Pilebolon, accompanied by Deputy Chairperson of the Ternate District Court, Haryanta and member judges, Kadar Noh, Samhadi and R. Moh. Yakob Widodo.

The chairman of the Panel of Judges, Romel Francis Pilebolon, said that apart from the AGK defendant, the trial with the agenda of examining witnesses presented two other defendants, Ridwan Arsan and Ramadan Ibrahim. The trial for examining witnesses on the two defendants will continue after the AGK trial

Meanwhile, the case that ensnared the defendant, former North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba in the case of accepting bribes and gratuities for buying and selling positions and infrastructure projects reached more than Rp. 100 billion. KPK prosecutor Rio Vernika Putra said the defendant AGK as the state administrator received gratuities of Rp. 99.8 billion and US$ 30 thousand via transfer or in cash.

In this case, AGK used 27 accounts to receive gratuities and bribes, both using accounts belonging to the personal secretary, family and belonging to the defendant.

AGK detailed, of the Rp99.8 billion funds he received, Rp87 billion was through transfers through various good things in 27 different accounts.

"The defendant received gratuities starting from the infrastructure project fee in North Maluku reaching Rp500 billion, which came from the state budget and the defendant allegedly ordered his subordinates to manipulate the development of the project as if it had been completed above 50 percent so that the disbursement of the budget could be done," said Rio.

In addition, AGK is also suspected of accepting bribes of IDR 2.2 billion. The money is allegedly used for hotel lodging to pay for his personal health needs

The prosecutor also said that the amount of money flowing into 27 accounts held or controlled by Ramadhan Ibrahim as an aide was Rp. 87 billion. Apart from that, AGK also received cash in the form of dollars worth 30 US dollars.