There Is No Reason To Abstain, KPK Ultimatum Witness Abdul Gani Kasuba's Case For Cooperatives

KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika (Tsa Tsia/VOI)

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has issued an ultimatum for witnesses in corruption cases and money laundering (TPPU) of the former Governor of North Maluku Abdul Gani Kasuba to fulfill the investigator's summons. There is no reason for them to be absent.

This was conveyed by KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika who said there were six witnesses who were not present at the examination on Wednesday, August 21. The six people are farmers named Masri Nikiulu; Kartini Nikiulu who is in the status of managing the household; and Fachri Ismail who is a fisherman.

Then he was not present, namely the Head of Lelilef Waibulan Village, Faisal Moh. Jamil; Ilham Suud who is the Head of Central Weda Sub-district, Central Halmahera Regency; and an entrepreneur named Sumiyati H. Bangsa.

"The witnesses were not present without information. Investigators asked the witnesses in question to cooperate," Tessa told reporters in a written statement, Thursday, August 22.

On a separate occasion, Tessa once said witnesses who were still hesitant or afraid of being cheated could contact contacts in a summons or call the anti-corruption commission office. Calls also need to be made if they can't attend.

"So those who are not present, please be able to make sure that the summons is correct and if they are accepted to come to the location as received by the summons," said the spokesman with the investigator's background some time ago.

Previously reported, the KPK named the inactive North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba as a suspect in the alleged crime of money laundering (TPPU). He is suspected of washing up to Rp100 billion.

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).

In addition, the KPK named Abdul Gani Kasuba's confidant, Muhaimin Syarif, who is the former chairman of the North Maluku Gerindra Party DPD as a suspect. He is suspected of bribing former North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba in the amount of IDR 7 billion for the management of the Production Operation IUP to the proposed determination of the mining business permit (WIUP) area to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Then this gift is also related to projects within the North Maluku Provincial Government. The bribe was given by Muhaimin Syarif directly to Abdul Gani or through aides and through banking transactions.