Central Mamberamo Regent Escapes, KPK Threatens Criminals For Those Who Block Investigations

CCP illustration. (doc kpk.go.id)

JAKARTA - Central Mamberamo Regent Ricky Ham Pagawak is suspected of fleeing to Papua New Guinea when he was about to be forcibly picked up by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Ricky is a suspect in the alleged bribery and gratification case in the implementation of various projects in the Central Mamberamo District Government, Papua Province.

Plt. KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, said that there were criminal threats for all parties who obstructed the investigation, in this case helping Ricky to escape.

"We remind anyone that the law is prohibited from obstructing the investigation process that we are currently carrying out because it is punishable by crime, as stated in Article 21 of the Corruption Act," said Ali in his statement, Saturday, July 16.

Ali also asked all people who know about Ricky's whereabouts to inform the KPK and the authorities to arrest the suspect.

"The community also hopes that the eradication of corruption can be carried out effectively and efficiently while still upholding the principle of justice so that the alleged corruption crime can be immediately proven and provide legal certainty to the suspect," said Ali.

Ali said that the KPK also invited Ricky to convey his legal rights in front of the investigative team, so that the handling of this case could be resolved immediately.

For information, the KPK is currently investigating allegations of bribery and project gratification in the Central Mamberamo District Government. The investigative team scheduled a second summons for Ricky, who has now been named a suspect, to appear at the KPK's Red and White building in Jakarta on Thursday, July 14.

"However, the person concerned did not attend to fulfill the summons without a valid legal argumentation basis and the investigative team considered this a form of uncooperative action," said Ali.

Then, the KPK made an effort to force Ricky to go to Papua. However, there Ricky was not found. Ricky allegedly fled before the KPK found him.

Therefore, Ali appealed to the party in question to be cooperative by fulfilling the summons of the investigation team. If Ricky does not turn himself in, the KPK threatens to publish a wanted list.

"For suspects who are not cooperative, the KPK can make arrests and gradually issue DPOs," said Ali.

Meanwhile, the Papuan Regional Police also confirmed that Ricky fled on Thursday, July 14 through Skouw, Jayapura City and crossed a path and entered Wutung, Papua New Guinea.

From the reports received, Ricky was seen at the RI-Papua New Guinea border carrying two backpacks. "It is not yet known what the contents of the backpack were," said Director General of the Papua Police, Kombes Faizal Rahmadani, in Jayapura.