Allegedly Using COVID-19 Funds For Pilkada, Mambremo Raya Regent Becomes A Suspect

Papuan Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri /Antara

JAKARTA - The Regent of Mamberamo Raya with the initials DD has been named a suspect in the alleged corruption case of COVID-19 funds in the 2020 fiscal year amounting to Rp. 3,153,100,000.

"It is true that he has been named a suspect since Monday, June 28," said Papuan Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri in Jayapura, reported by Antara, Tuesday, June 29.

He explained that the suspect was named after investigators conducted two cases at the Criminal Investigation Unit at the National Police Headquarters, Jakarta.

Even though he is a suspect, his party has not made any arrests and detentions because they are still waiting for approval from the Minister of Home Affairs.

If there is permission from the Minister of Home Affairs, said Inspector General Fakhiri, the suspect will be immediately arrested and detained.

Previously, investigators had detained the Head of the Regional Finance and Assets Agency of Mamberamo Raya Regency, SR.

The Director of Criminal Investigation at the Papua Police, Kombes Ricko Taruna, said that the number of suspects in the alleged corruption of COVID-19 funds in Mamberamo Raya was likely to increase apart from the Regent of Mamra DD.

"Be patient, yes, because investigators are still conducting investigations to reveal who is involved in the case," said Ricko Taruna.

It was stated that from the results of the examination it was revealed that the funds for COVID-19 were allegedly used to finance the elections.

The Mamberamo Raya Regency Government allocated Rp7,257,600,000.00 for handling COVID-19.