KPK Examines Mine Boss Setyo Mardanus Regarding Money Laundering Of North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba

KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika (Tsa Tsia/VOI)

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) summoned six witnesses to investigate the alleged money laundering crime (TPPU) that ensnared the inactive former North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba. One of them is the mine boss, Setyo Mardanus.

"Today, the KPK is examining witnesses of alleged money laundering offenses with the suspect AGK," said KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika to reporters in a written statement, Tuesday, July 23.

Apart from Setyo, the anti-corruption commission also examined La Ode Muhammad Saiful Akbar (LMSA) who is PT Sowite Karya Utama in 2019; Director of PT Pratama Siwalima Sentosa, Christy Marino (CM); Beni (BN) and Eliya Gabrina Bachmid (EGB) who are private parties; and an entrepreneur named Silfana Bachmid (SB).

"The examination was carried out at the Red and White KPK Building," explained Tessa.

Tessa has not detailed the summons. However, these witnesses usually know the presumptuous practices that are being handled by investigators.

Based on records on the Advocacy Mining Network (JATAM) website, Setyo Mardanus is a close person to the Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia. He is referred to as the President Director and 5 percent shareholder in PT MAP Surveillance and 50 percent Commissioner and shareholder at PT Karya Bersama Mineral.

Not only that, he also holds a 50 percent stake in PT Berkarya Bersama Halmahera, President Commissioner of PT Duta Halmahera Lestari, Commissioner of PT Tataran Media Sarana, and Commissioner of PT Kacci Purnama Indah.

Previously reported, the KPK named the inactive North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba as a suspect in the alleged crime of money laundering (TPPU). The value of this fraudulent practice reached Rp. 100 billion based on a number of evidences pocketed by investigators.

The determination of this suspect was carried out as the development of the alleged bribery of goods and services procurement projects as well as the granting of permits within the North Maluku Provincial Government. He has been detained along with five other suspects since December 20 after being caught in a hand arrest operation (OTT).

The five suspects are the Head of the North Maluku Provincial Government Housing and Settlement Office, Adnan Hasanudin; Head of PUPR PUPR Maluku Provincial Government Daud Ismail; Head of BPPBJ North Maluku Provincial Government Ridwan Arsan; Ramadhan Ibrahim who is Abdul Gani's aide and the private sector, namely Stevi Thomas and Kristian Wuisan.