KPK Investigates The Possibility Of Ricky Ham Pagawak Escapeping Armed By The KKB

The press conference on the suspect in the bribery of the inactive Central Mamberamo Regent Ricky Ham Pagawak at the KPK building, South Jakarta, Monday, February 20. (Tsa Tsia-VOI)

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will investigate the possibility of the inactive Central Mamberamo Regent Ricky Ham Pagawak being protected by armed criminal groups (KKB) in his escape in Papua New Guinea.

The suspect in the alleged bribery, gratification and money laundering has been on the run since July 2022.

"Is the KKB assisted still being investigated," said KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri to reporters at the KPK's Red and White House, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Monday, February 20.

Firli said that his party did not want to be careless in stating the involvement of the KKB. Because they do not yet have any information.

"We cannot give any statement because there is no information that we have received until now," he said.

"We will explore this further with all the information we get. Especially with the cooperation with the TNI and Polri in Papua," Firli continued.

As previously reported, Ricky has officially been a detainee at the Red and White KPK Detention Center since Monday, February 20. He is a suspect in alleged bribery, gratification, and alleged money laundering.

In this case, Ricky is suspected of receiving bribes and gratuities of up to Rp200 billion. This acceptance was made from contractors who wanted to get projects in Central Mamberamo Regency.

There are three contractors who are said to have given money, namely the Director of PT Solata Sukses Building, Marten Toding; President Director of PT Bina Karya Raya, Simon Mampang; and Director of PT Bumi Abadi Perkasa Jusiendra Pribadi Pampang.

In detail, Jusiendra got 18 work packages with a total value of Rp. 217.7 billion. Projects built include the construction of student dormitories in Jayapura.

While Simon got six packages worth Rp179.4 billion and Marten got three work packages with a value of Rp9.4 billion. This work was obtained by the three private sector after they agreed with Ricky to give money.

From the money he got, Ricky was then suspected of laundering money by spending it to disguise the results of the bribes and gratuities he received.