The Regent Of North Penajam Paser Allegedly Sets Tariffs For Issuing Business Permits

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that the inactive North Penajam Paser Regent, Abdul Gafur Mas'ud, has set a certain amount of money for private parties who wish to apply for permits. This allegation was investigated by a witness, namely Plt Kasatpol PP, North Penajam Paser Regency, Muchtar.

Muchtar was questioned as a witness on Wednesday, April 13, to complete the dossier for Abdul Gafur's case. There are a number of things that investigators are investigating regarding the application for a business license in North Penajam Paser Regency, including the amount of money that must be paid by entrepreneurs.

"The witness was present and confirmed, among other things, related to the process to obtain a business license in PPU Regency where it is suspected that there are special conditions in the form of payment of a certain amount of money determined by the suspect AGM to obtain the said permit," said Acting Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri in his written statement, Thursday, April 14.

Ali did not specify how much the entrepreneur had to pay to obtain the permit because the investigation was still ongoing.

Actually, investigators will also examine another witness, namely the Commissioner of PT Core Mineral Resources, Hepy Yerema Manopo. Only, Ali said, he was not present.

"The witness did not attend and confirmed to be rescheduled to investigators," he said. Previously, the KPK named Abdul Gafur as a suspect in receiving bribes related to the procurement of goods and services as well as permits.

Apart from Gafur, the anti-corruption commission also appointed the Acting Secretary of the North Penajam Paser Regency, Mulyadi; Head of Department of Public Works and Spatial Planning of North Penajam Paser Regency Edi Hasmoro; Head of the North Penajam Paser District Education, Youth and Sports Office, Jusman; and the General Treasurer of the Balikpapan Democratic Party DPC, Nur Afifah Balqis as a bribe recipient.

Meanwhile, as a suspect for giving bribes, the KPK has named a private party named Achmad Zudi.

Their determination was initiated from a hand-catching operation (OTT) which was held on Wednesday, January 12 in two locations, namely Jakarta and North Kalimantan. From the results of the action, the KPK also confiscated Rp1 billion and Rp447 million in Balqis's account.