Police Have Checked Dozens Of Witnesses On Alleged Arwana Procurement Extortion In Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan

Super red arowana illustration at an exhibition. (Jessica Wuysang / Antara)

JAKARTA - The Kapuas Hulu Police Criminal Unit in West Kalimantan (West Kalimantan) continues to investigate suspected illegal levies (Pungli) on the procurement of Arwana fish, Kapuas Hulu Fisheries Service 2020.

"We are still investigating the allegations of corruption and extortion for Arwana fish procurement, we have examined dozens of witnesses and it is possible that there will still be a dozen witnesses to be examined", explained the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Kapuas Hulu Police, Rando in Putussibau, the capital of Kapuas Hulu Regency.

Rando conveyed that the Head of the Kapuas Hulu Fisheries Service had not yet been asked for information. The investigator will reschedule the examination concerned. Regarding the motive, the police have not been able to provide any information.

"After we collect evidence and witness testimony, it can be concluded, it is possible that there will also be suspects, but for now it cannot be concluded", explained Rando.

Regarding the alleged extortion, the Commitment Making Officer (PPK) of the Kapuas Hulu Fisheries Service, Sulaiman, stated that his party did not accept and collect anything.

"We did not accept or collect anything", said Sulaiman.

According to Sulaiman, the procurement of Arwana fish is a proposal from a community group through 10 members of the Kapuas Hulu House of Representatives which is then budgeted in the Kapuas Hulu Fisheries Service fish cultivation program with a budget of approximately IDR 1.13 billion.

"The fish procurement was carried out by 18 companies for 18 recipient community groups, technically we have implemented it according to the mechanisms and regulations", said Sulaiman.

Meanwhile, based on data that has been collected, allegations of extortion have been made on the making of Regional Grant Agreement (NPHD) and Job Handover (BASTP) documents according to the rates set by the Kapuas Hulu Fisheries Service Technical Team for Aquaculture.