Due To The COVID-19 Variant Of The Omicron Variant, The Pursuit Of KPK Suspects Including Paulus Tanos-Harun Masiku Has Stalled

Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Karyoto/PHOTO: WARDHANY TSA TSIA-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that the increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant had an impact on the search for suspects such as Paulus Tanos to Harun Masiku.

KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Karyoto said the search for one of the suspects, namely Paulus Tanos, who is the President Director of PT Sandipala Arthapura, could actually be carried out soon. Moreover, he is known to currently live in Singapore and Indonesia currently has an extradition treaty.

However, due to the spread of the Omicron variant, the summons of Paulus, who is a suspect in the e-KTP corruption case, could not be carried out.

"Friends know that Omicron is currently booming in Jakarta. Its development could be in the tens of thousands now and is already above 10,000 if I'm not mistaken," Karyoto said at a press conference at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, February 3rd.

The KPK is currently waiting for developments on the spread of COVID-19. If it declines, Karyoto emphasized that his men will immediately call Paulus Tanos and look for other fugitives.

"If this has been opened, of course, it will not only be PLS. Maybe other names in our records as DPOs, if their existence can be detected, we will still look for them," he said.

"Including Harun Masiku as well, we will look for it. So before being asked, God willing, if anyone knows anywhere and we will also make crossings with the country being crossed. We will make that effort," added Karyoto.

Previously reported, the e-KTP corruption case has dragged the names of a number of high-ranking officials in the ministry, such as the former Director General of Dukcapil Irman and former officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs Sugiharto. In addition, there are also the names of the former Chairman of the DPR RI Setya Novanto, former member of Commission III DPR RI Fraction Hanura Miryam S Haryani, former member of Commission III DPR RI Markus Nari.

The KPK last named four new suspects in the e-KTP case in August 2020. They are former members of Commission II of the DPR RI Hanura Party Fraction Miryam S Haryani, President Director of the Republic of Indonesia Printing Press (PNRI) and Chairman of the PNRI Consortium Isnu Edhi Wijaya, Head of the Information Technology Technical Team for the Application of KTP Husni Fahmi, and President Director of PT Shandipala Arthaputra Paulus Tanos.