KPK Finds Evidence Of Alleged Corruption In Papua Governor And Deputy Governor's Operational Funds

KPK Spokesperson Tessa Mahardika/DOK PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) found evidence of alleged corruption in the operational funds of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Papua when investigators conducted a search. There are documents to electronic goods found.

"From these activities, it was found or carried out in the form of confiscation in the form of documents and electronic evidence," said KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika to reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Friday, November 8.

Tessa said the search was carried out on Monday, November 4. The location visited by investigators is the Papua Regional Secretary's Office (Setda).

"And then the witness examination process will be carried out," he explained.

Previously reported, the 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 case was mentioned by the Director of Investigation of the KPK, Asep Guntur, who said that the 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.

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.

"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.