Abdul Gani Kasuba's Son Becomes Witness In The Mining Permit Bribery Case In North Maluku

TERNATE - The public prosecutor (JPU) of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) presented five witnesses in the follow-up trial of the bribery case with the defendant Muhaimin Syarif alias Ucu being held at the Ternate State Corruption Court (Tipikor).

Prosecutors at the KPK, Andri Lesmana, said that his party presented eight witnesses, but only five witnesses could be presented to provide information regarding the defendant's alleged involvement in processing mining permits.

One of the witnesses presented was Nazlatan Ukhara Kasuba, a member of the North Maluku Provincial DPRD and a Commissioner of PT Fajar Gemilang.

Nazlatan is known to be the son of Abdul Gani Kasuba, the former Governor of North Maluku who was previously convicted in a bribery case related to infrastructure projects and mining permits.

Apart from Nazlatan, another witness who was present was M. Thoriq Kasuba, Commissioner of PT Fajar Gemilang as well as the company's shareholder, who is also Abdul Gani Kasuba's son.

Maizon Lengkong, Director of PT Prisma Utama, Mahmud Doturu, private party. Eliya Gabrina Bachmid, brother-in-law of the defendant Muhaimin Syarif.

According to KPK prosecutor Andri Lesmana, the five witnesses were presented to provide information regarding the alleged bribery practice in obtaining strategic mining permits in North Maluku involving regional officials and private parties.

During the trial, it was revealed that Maizon Lengkong had known Muhaimin since 2012. He also acknowledged that their company had changed the deed, and in 2021 asked the defendant for help regarding mining licensing interests.

This case is part of the KPK's move to thoroughly investigate allegations of corruption in the mining licensing sector. This trial is expected to further reveal the involvement of related parties.