Misappropriating IDR 6.3 Billion Grant Funds, The Manokwari YPSI Case Rises To Investigation

MANOKWARI - The West Papua Regional Police (Polda) has raised the status of a case of alleged corruption in the management of grant funds for the Manokwari Science Education Foundation (YPSI) worth IDR 6.3 billion to the investigation stage.

Head of Public Relations of the West Papua Police, Kombes Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, said the increase in the status of the case was carried out after investigators pocketed a number of pieces of evidence.

"We have upgraded the status of the case from investigation to investigation," said Benny, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, October 10.

He explained that YPSI Manokwari received grants from the West Papua Provincial Government through the National and Political Unity Agency (Kesbangpol) for the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years.

The total grant fund for the two fiscal years is IDR 7.35 billion, allocated for honorarium fees for lecturers and campus administrators, operational activities, scholarships, and other expenses.

"In 2023 YPSI Manokwari will receive a grant of Rp. 2.35 billion and in 2024 it will get another Rp. 5 billion," said Benny.

Based on the results of the investigation, he said, it was found that the difference in budget usage in 2023 was IDR 2.191 billion and IDR 4.117 billion in 2024, bringing the total state financial losses to IDR 6.308 billion.

Police investigators have examined a number of witnesses, including the management of the foundation, related officials, and other parties suspected of knowing the misuse of the flow of grant funds.

"We are committed to enforcing the law professionally and transparently. This case will be completely disclosed," he said.

He appealed to all people in Manokwari Regency not to be easily provoked by various issues that have the potential to hinder the process of disclosing the alleged corruption case.

All processes handled by investigators from the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus) of the West Papua Police are carried out according to the procedures and legal provisions that apply in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

"We urge the public not to be influenced by information that cannot be accounted for. Leave the legal process to the police," he said.