KPK Investigate Allegations Of Corruption Related To Operational Funds For The Governor Of Papua

ILLUSTRATION BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is again investigating allegations of corruption in Papua. Investigations were carried out related to operational support funds and official service programs for the governor and his deputy.

This was conveyed by KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika when informing the examination schedule today, Monday, October 14.

"The KPK has scheduled the examination of witnesses suspected of corruption in the form of unlawful acts or abuse of authority related to operational support funds and programs to improve official services for regional heads and deputy regional heads of the Papua Provincial Government," said Tessa, quoted in a written statement.

Tessa said that in this case there were witnesses who were summoned for questioning, namely GI who is the President Director of PT RDG. "The examination was carried out at the KPK's Red and White Building," he said.

Meanwhile, based on the information obtained, this witness is Gibrael Isaak. This name is known to have often been summoned in the bribery and gratification case of former Papua Governor Lukas Enembe.

Lukas was already dead while his legal process was still ongoing. He breathed his last at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, Jakarta on December 26, 2023.

As previously reported, the KPK said that the alleged corruption of the Papua Governor's operational funds involving Lukas Enembe would soon go up to investigation in September 2023. The final stage of preparation has been carried out.

"The case is not too long," said KPK Investigation Director Asep Guntur to reporters, Monday, September 18, 2023.

Asep did not want to specify the allegation, including anyone who was entangled other than Lukas. He only said that the construction of the case until the suspect would be submitted after the case was investigated.

"Is that the treasurer later, because the money is the treasurer, then the providers will ask for information later, we will check like that," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of the KPK Alexander Marwata revealed that Lukas' operating money was higher than the provisions regulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri). "Every year the operational funds concerned are more than Rp. 1 trillion," he said.

"The governor's operational funds should be calculated according to the percentage of the regional budget (APBD)," said Alex. However, Lukas actually budgeted more and partly spent on consumption.

Not only that, investigators found most of the receipts attached to fictitious ones. "Imagine that Rp1 trillion is used a third by eating and drinking. That's one day Rp1 billion for food and drink shopping," said Alexander.