KPK Searches Ambon City Hall For 13 Hours

The KPK investigators came out of the front door of the City Hall after conducting a search and carrying suitcases suspected of containing important documents from a number of rooms, Tuesday (17/5/2022). ANTARA/Penina F Mayaut.

AMBON - The Investigative Team of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) completed a search of Ambon City Hall for about 13 hours.

According to ANTARA's observations, the KPK investigators carried five suitcases and one brown bag after a search of the Ambon City Hall at 21:46 WIT, Tuesday, May 17.

KPK investigators came out of the front door of City Hall after conducting a search and took a suitcase that allegedly contained important documents from a number of rooms, using eight cars.

The search was carried out in a number of rooms, namely the Ambon Mayor's office, the Office of Investment and One Stop Integrated Services (DPTMSP), the Industry and Trade Office (Disperindag), the Tax and Levy Agency, the Regional Finance and Assets Agency, and the Tourism and Culture Office.

After the search, two rooms were sealed in the Ambon City DPMPTSP Investment Sector.

The search was carried out in order to find additional evidence related to the alleged bribery case and receipt of gratuities for the approval of the principle permit for the construction of a retail branch in Ambon City.

Previously, the KPK detained Ambon City Mayor Richard Louhenapessy (RL) after being announced as a suspect for alleged bribery and receiving gratuities.

The KPK also named two other suspects, namely the administrative staff of the Ambon City Government leadership Andrew Erin Hehanusa (AEH), and Amri (AR) from the private sector/employee Alfamidi (AM) Ambon City.

In the construction of the case, the KPK explained that within the period of 2020, Richard, who served as Mayor of Ambon City for the 2017-2022 period, had the authority. One of them is related to the approval of the principle permit for the construction of retail branches in Ambon City.

For his actions, the suspect Amri as the giver is suspected of violating Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or Article 5 paragraph (1) letter b or Article 13 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 2001.

Meanwhile, Richard and Andrew as the recipients are suspected of violating Article 12 letter a or letter b or article 11 and article 12 B of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st Criminal Code.

In the process of obtaining the permit, it is suspected that Amri was actively communicating and held a meeting with Richard so that the permit process could be immediately approved and issued.