KPK Explores Money Flow For Former Ambon Mayor Richard Louhenapessy From The Private Party

The suspect is former Ambon Mayor Richard Louhenapessy (center/orange vest). ANTARA/HO-Public Relations KPK

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed five witnesses regarding the alleged flow of money received by the suspect, former Ambon City Mayor Richard Louhenapessy (RL) from various private parties.

The KPK examined the five suspects for Richard and his friends at the Maluku Makobrimobda Building, Friday (15/7) in an investigation into the alleged bribery case related to the approval of the principle permit for the construction of a retail branch in 2020 in Ambon City, Maluku and the alleged crime of money laundering (TPPU).

"The witnesses were present and confirmed, among others, related to the alleged flow of money received by suspect RL from various private parties who applied for a permit at the Ambon City Government," said Acting KPK Spokesperson Ali Fikri as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, July 18.

Those being investigated, namely the Head of the Ambon City Investment and One Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP) Ferdinanda Johanna Louhenapessy,

Ongen Aponno as Head of the General Division of the City Government, Fahmi Salatalohy as Asda Economics/former Head of Education and Culture and two entrepreneurs, Stelia Tupenalay and Petrus Fatlolon, respectively.

Meanwhile, the KPK also informed a witness who did not comply with the summons of the investigation team, namely Victor Alexander Loupatty as an entrepreneur/owner of PT HOATYK.

"Not attending and confirming the investigation team for rescheduling," said Ali.

The KPK has named Richard as a suspect in accepting bribes along with administrative staff led by the Ambon City Government Andrew Erin Hehanusa (AEH) in the case of approval of the principle permit for the construction of retail branches in Maluku City.

Meanwhile, the bribe giver is Amri (AR) as an entrepreneur/employee of Alfamidi Ambon City.

In the construction of Richard's bribery case, the KPK explained that in the period of 2020, Richard, who served as Mayor of Ambon City for the 2017-2022 period, had the authority, one of which was to give approval in principle for the construction of retail branches in Ambon City.

In the process of obtaining the permit, it is suspected that the suspect Amri actively communicated and held a meeting with Richard so that the permit process for the construction of the Alfamidi retail branch could be immediately approved and issued.

Following up on Amri's request, Richard then ordered the Head of PUPR of the Ambon City Government to immediately process and issue various permit applications, including a place of business permit (SITU) and a trading business license (SIUP).

For each permit document that was approved and issued, Richard asked for the delivery of money with a minimum nominal value of Rp. 25 million using a bank account belonging to Andrew, who is Richard's confidant.

Specifically for the issuance of the approval in principle for the construction of 20 retail outlets, Amri is suspected of giving Richard around Rp500 million in stages through Andrew's bank account.

From the development of the bribery case, the KPK further named Richard as a suspect in the alleged money laundering offence. The KPK suspects that Richard intentionally concealed or disguised the origin of property ownership by using the identities of certain parties.