KPK Opens Opportunity To Investigate The Hospital Where Ambon City Mayor Was Treated Regarding Alleged Investigation Obstruction

Ambon Mayor Richard Louhenapessy suspects corruption at the KPK/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) opens an opportunity to investigate allegations of obstruction to the investigation carried out by the hospital treating Ambon Mayor Richard Louhenapessy.

Richard is a suspect in alleged bribery related to the approval of the principle permit for the construction of the Alfamidi mini-market retail branch in Ambon City in 2020.

"If, for example, the team of doctors just makes an excuse, yes, this will be dangerous for the team of doctors, it is said to be a party that is hindering (the investigation, ed)," said Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of KPK Karyoto as quoted from the KPK RI YouTube, Monday, May 16.

Moreover, from the surveillance team's surveillance, Richard at the hospital only removed the stitches and received an injection of antibiotics. This is different from the sick letter that Richard sent through his attorney to the KPK when he asked for a postponement of the examination as a suspect.

"While under surveillance yesterday, they only removed stitches and injected antibiotics, then they still had time to walk around the mall. This means that they are in good health," he said.

After all, the KPK has experienced a similar incident when taking action against corruptors. One of them, is the obstruction of the investigation carried out by the doctor who treated the former Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives Setya Novanto, Bimanesh Sutarjo, and the lawyer, Fredrich Yunadi.

At that time, Novanto, who was wanted by the KPK because he had been named a suspect in a corruption case in the procurement of e-KTP, suddenly had an accident. Fredrich, who came first to the Medika Permata Hijau Hospital, conspired with the hospital and stated that his client's condition could not be brought to the KPK.

"We have experience in the case of Setya Novanto with buns," said Karyoto, recalling how Fredrich stated that Setya Novanto had a lump on his head.

As previously reported, the KPK has just appointed the Mayor of Ambon, Richard Louhenpessy. He was named a suspect for receiving bribes along with his subordinates, the administrative staff of the Ambon City Government (Pemkot) Andrew Erin Hehanusa.

This bribe was given in connection with the approval for the 2020 Alfamidi minimarket retail branch construction permit in Ambon City. As for the giver, Alfamidi's employee, Amri.

In this case, the KPK suspects that Richard asked for an allotment of IDR 25 million for each permit he issued. Meanwhile, regarding the construction permit for 20 Alfamidi retail outlets, Richard is suspected of receiving IDR 500 million from Amri.

In addition, he is suspected of receiving a flow of funds from several parties as a gratuity. However, the KPK has not stated the number because investigators are still investigating further.