PPU Regent Abdul Gafur Mas'ud Allegedly Owns Assets But Uses Someone Else's Name

Regent of North Penajam Paser inactive Abdul Gafur Mas'ud (DOK VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that the inactive Regent of Penajam Paser Utara (PPU) Abdul Gafur Mas'ud has assets that are in someone else's name. This allegation was investigated by two witnesses, namely Mohammad Syaiful who was a civil servant (PNS) and a private employee named Ruslan Sangadji.

From the examination, the two witnesses confirmed several things related to the alleged bribery in the procurement of goods and services as well as permits that ensnared Abdul Gafur. This includes assets in the name of the General Treasurer of the Balikpapan Democratic Party DPC, Nur Afifah Balqis and a number of confidants of the inactive regent.

"The two witnesses were present and confirmed, among other things, related to the alleged ownership of assets from the AGM suspect who used the identity of the suspect NAB and several other confidants of the AGM suspect," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Sector Ali Fikri in a written statement quoted on Saturday, April 15.

However, Ali did not go into further detail about what assets were allegedly in the name of the other person. This is because the investigation is still ongoing.

In addition, KPK investigators also investigated the licensing for the construction of a BTS Broadband cellular communication network in North Penajam Paser Regency. This investigation, continued Ali, was carried out by summoning three other witnesses.

Those summoned were representatives of the President Director of PT Berkah Sukses Sejati, Kadarullah; representative of the Account Director of PT Intertel Media Prima, Meiliawati Kartoyo; a private employee from PT Mitratel in North Penajam Paser Regency, Paradizs Perysa Putra.

"Representatives of the three witnesses were present and confirmed, among others, related to the permit application process for the construction of a broadband BTS cellular communication network in North Penajam Paser Regency," he said.

Actually, the KPK will also examine a witness, namely the General Manager of PT Petronisia Benimal, Bermot Silitonga. However, he was not present and will be rescheduled.

This rescheduling needs to be done because the investigators need his testimony as a witness to investigate the alleged bribery received by Abdul Gafur.

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.