Investigate Gratification Acceptance Of Mayor Of Ambon Inactive Richard Louhenapessy, KPK Examines 5 Witnesses

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the receipt of gratuities allegedly carried out by the Mayor of Ambon, Richard Louhenapessy. This allegation was investigated from the examination of five witnesses, including the Head of the Ambon City PUPR Service, Enrico Rudolf Matitaputty.

Richard is a suspect in alleged bribery related to the approval of the principle permit for the construction of the Alfamidi mini-market retail branch in Ambon City in 2020.

"It was also confirmed the alleged receipt of gratuities for suspect RL from various parties," said Acting Spokesperson for the KPK for Enforcement, Ali Fikri in a written statement, Monday, May 16.

Apart from Enrico, investigators from the anti-corruption commission also examined four other people.

They are Head of Industrial Business, Industry, and Trade Office of Ambon City Government Firza Attamimi; former member of Pokja III UKPBJ Ambon City, Hendra Victor Pesiwarissa; former Chair of the UKPBJ Working Group II, Ivonny Alexandra W Latuputty; and a former member of the UKPBJ Working Group III, Johanis Bernhard Pattiradjawane.

Ali did not specify who the party suspected of giving gratuities to Richard was. This is because the investigation process is still ongoing.

In addition, from the examination of these five people, the KPK is also investigating allegations of auction conditioning conducted by Richard.

Actually, the KPK will also examine three other witnesses to explore a number of things in the alleged bribery and gratification case by Richard. But they were not present.

The witnesses who were not present were the Head of the Ambon City Government Education Office, Fahmi Sallatalohy; License Manager of PT Midi Utama Indonesia, Tbk Ambon Branch, Nanda Wibowo; and Director of PT Kristal Kurnia Jaya Julian Kurniawan.

"The three were not present and the Investigation Team immediately scheduled the next summons," said Ali.

As previously reported, the KPK has just appointed the Mayor of Ambon, Richard Louhenpessy. He was named a suspect for receiving bribes along with his subordinates, the administrative staff of the Ambon City Government (Pemkot) Andrew Erin Hehanusa.

This bribe was given in connection with the approval for the 2020 Alfamidi minimarket retail branch construction permit in Ambon City. As for the giver, Alfamidi's employee, Amri.

In this case, the KPK suspects that Richard asked for an allotment of IDR 25 million for each permit he issued. Meanwhile, regarding the construction permit for 20 Alfamidi retail outlets, Richard is suspected of receiving IDR 500 million from Amri.

In addition, he is suspected of receiving a flow of funds from several parties as a gratuity. However, the KPK has not stated the number because investigators are still investigating further.