37 Companies Allegedly Bribery The Governor Of North Maluku Through Muhaimin Syarif For Mining Affairs

KPK Investigation Director Asep Guntur Rahayu/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that there were 37 companies that bribed the inactive North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba (AGK) through Muhaimin Syarif who was the former chairman of the North Maluku Gerindra Party DPD.

The grant is related to the management of the proposed determination of the Mining Business Permit Area (WIUP) to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

This was conveyed by the Director of Investigation of the KPK Asep Guntur in a press conference on the detention of Muhaimin Syarif today, Wednesday, July 17. The suspect in the bribe is referred to as Abdul Gani's confidant.

"The Proposal for the Determination of the Mining Business Permit Area (WIUP) to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia, which was signed by the Governor of North Maluku Abdul Gani Kasuba as many as 37 companies through the suspect MS alias Ucu during 2021 2023 without going through any procedures," Asep told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

Asep said the procedure referred to was in the Regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 11 of 2018 and the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 1798 k/30/mem/2018 concerning Guidelines for the Implementation of Preparation, Determination and Provision of Mining Business Permit Areas. He later said that six blocks proposed had been determined by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia in 2023.

The details, continued Asep, are the Kaf Block, Folgi Block, Marimoi Block I, Pulanga Block, Lilief Sawai Block and Wailuka Block. "Of the 6 Blocks, 5 of them have been auctioned for Mining Business Permit Areas, namely the Kaf Block, Folgi Block, Marimoi Block I, Pullanga Block, and Lilief Sawai Block," he said.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has determined the winner of the four blocks being auctioned. However, Asep did not specify the company.

As previously reported, the former chairman of the North Maluku Gerindra Party (Malut) DPD Muhaimin Syarif alias Ucu was detained by the KPK on Wednesday, July 17. He is suspected of bribing former North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba in the amount of Rp 7 billion for obtaining permits and projects within the North Maluku Provincial Government.

The bribe was given directly to Abdul Gani or through an aide. Giving is also done through banking transactions.

As a result of his actions, Muhaimin Syarif was suspected of violating Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or Article 5 paragraph (1) letter b or Article 13 of Law Number 31 of 1999. As amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 65 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.