KPK Examines ESDM Official Cecep Yasin Regarding Corruption Abdul Ghani Kasuba

Logo Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (KPK). ANTARA/Fianda Sjofjan Rassat

JAKARTA - Investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) today summoned the Head of Sub-Directorate for Production and Utilization Planning of Minerals and Coal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia Cecep Mochamad Yasin as a witness in the alleged corruption case with the inactive North Maluku Governor Abdul Ghani Kasuba (AGK). "Today at the KPK's Red and White Building, the investigative team has scheduled the summons and examination of witnesses from the Head of the Production and Utilization Planning Sub-Directorate for Mineral and Coal Development of the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Cecep Mochamad Yasin," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri when confirmed in Jakarta, Tuesday, February 27. In addition, KPK investigators also scheduled an examination of the Head of the One Stop Integrated Service Service (PTSP) of North Maluku Province, Bambang Heryawan. However, Ali has not provided further information about what material will be explored in the examination. Previously, the KPK named North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba (AGK) as a suspect in the alleged bribery case for the procurement of goods and services project as well as granting permits within the North Maluku Provincial Government. KPK investigators also immediately detained Abdul Ghani Kasuba and five other people who had also been named suspects on December 20, 2023. Other suspects, namely the Head of the North Maluku Provincial Government Housing and Settlement Office, Adnan Hasanudin (AH), Head of PUPR Office of the Maluku Provincial Government Daud Ismail (DI), Head of BPPBJ North Maluku Provincial Government Ridwan Arsan (RA), aide to the governor of Ramadhan Ibrahim (RI), as well as private parties Stevi Thomas (ST) and Kristian Wuisan (KW). The construction of the case that ensnared Abdul Ghani Kasuba and other suspects began when the North Maluku Provincial Government carried out procurement of goods and services with budgets sourced from the APBD. AGK in its position as Governor of North Maluku participated in determining which contractors would be won in the job project auction. To carry out this mission, AGK then ordered AH as Head of Housing and Settlement Office, as Head of PUPR and RA as Head of BPPBJ to report various projects to be carried out in North Maluku Province. The amount of various value of road and bridge infrastructure projects in the North Maluku Provincial Government has reached a budget ceiling of more than Rp500 billion, including the construction of roads and bridges for the Matuting-Ranganga section, as well as the construction of roads and bridges for the Saketa-Dehepodo section. From these projects, AGK then determined the amount of the deposit from the contractors. In addition, AGK also agreed and asked AH, DI and RA to manipulate the progress of work as if it had been completed above 50 percent so that the budget could be disbursed immediately. Among the contractors won and expressed the ability to give money, namely KW and ST. Both have also given money to AGK through RI for processing road construction permits by the company. The technical delivery of money is carried out in cash or a holding account using the bank account name on behalf of other parties and the private sector. The initiative to use this holding account is the result of an idea between AGK and RI. The account book and ATM card are still held by the Republic of Indonesia as AGK confidants. As initial preliminary evidence, there was money that entered the holding account amounting to around Rp. 2.2 billion. The money was then used, including for AGK's personal interests in the form of payment for hotel stay and payment for dentists. For his actions, the suspect ST, AH, DI and KW as the Giver were suspected of violating Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or b or Article 13 of Law (UU) Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.

Meanwhile, AGK suspects, RI and RA as recipients are suspected of violating Article 12 letter a or b or Article 11 of Law (UU) Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.