KPK Investigates Mining IUP Case in Malut, Corporations Involved

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is currently investigating corruption in mining business permits (IUP) in North Maluku. This suspected corruption is an expansion of the bribery case that ensnared former Governor of North Maluku Abdul Gani Kasuba.

This was conveyed by the Chairman of the KPK Setyo Budiyanto who said the investigation was related to the bribe giver. As for Abdul Gani Kasuba, he died on March 14, 2025. At that time he was still a defendant.

"(Investigation, ed) if I'm not mistaken it has something to do (with a number of providers related to the management of IUP when Abdul Gani Kasuba was in office, ed)," Setyo told reporters at the KPK Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, quoted Wednesday, April 8.

Setyo did not want to elaborate further on the investigation. However, he indicated that there were a number of corporations or companies involved.

"As far as I remember, there is also a corporation. As far as I remember," he said.

The KPK previously suspected that dozens of companies bribed Abdul Ghani Kasuba through Muhaimin Syarif, related to the management of the proposal for the establishment of the Mining Business Permit Area (WIUP) to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Muhaimin Syarif, who is one of Abdul Ghani Kasuba's trusted people, is suspected of acting as a liaison or management broker.

This suspicion arose after the KPK handled the case of alleged corruption in the procurement of goods and services and the management of permits in the North Maluku Provincial Government. In his journey, Abdul Gani Kasuba was then sentenced to 8 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 300 million subsider 5 months in prison by the Ternate District Court (PN) on September 26, 2024.

In addition to imprisonment, Abdul Gani is ordered to pay compensation of IDR 109 million and USD 90 thousand.

Furthermore, the KPK will also investigate the alleged money laundering (TPPU) case of Abdul Gani Kasuba. However, because he died, the investigation process was finally stopped.