Central Mamberamo Regent Fugitive And Entered DPO, Former KPK Investigator: Confidentiality Important Element Of Arrest Operation

Central Mamberamo Regent Ricky Ham Pagawak/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Former investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Yudi Purnomo Harahap said that keeping secrets in operations to arrest suspects was very important. This is one of the elements that make the investigator's job successful.

This was conveyed by Yudi in response to the escape of the Regent of Central Mamberamo Ricky Ham Pagawak to Papua New Guinea when he was about to be arrested. Ricky is a suspect in alleged bribery and project gratification in the Central Mamberamo Regency Government (Pemkab) which is being handled by the KPK.

"Secrecy of movement is an important element in the success of an arrest operation," said Yudi, quoted from his Twitter account @yudiharahap46, Tuesday, July 19.

Yudi then said the anti-corruption commission needed to evaluate its staff. So, it can be known whether there was a leak of information or Ricky had deliberately run away.

Moreover, Ricky had previously been absent from the two summons that had been scheduled by the anti-corruption commission investigators. "It is necessary to investigate this internally by the KPK," he said.

"Is it true that the arrest information was leaked or not, because it could be that the regent is ready that an arrest will be made later because the person concerned was summoned twice, did not come or was absent, then of course investigators will make arrests," continued Yudi.

Ricky enters the KPK DPO

As a result of escaping to Papua New Guinea when he was about to be picked up by KPK investigators, Ricky is now on the wanted list (DPO). This was conveyed by the Acting Spokesperson for the KPK for Enforcement, Ali Fikri.

"It is true, the KPK has stated that it has been included in the wanted list (DPO)," Ali told reporters on Monday, July 18.

Ali said the KPK was trying to arrest Ricky, who was suspected of fleeing to Papua New Guinea. Those who knew and helped the escape were called.

The public, continued Ali, can also participate in this search by reporting to the KPK or other law enforcement officials if they know of Ricky's whereabouts.

"KPK asks the parties not to help the suspect in hiding or evading the law enforcement process on purpose. Because he can be subject to criminal penalties for obstructing the case investigation process," he said.

Previously, the KPK was investigating allegations of bribery and gratification of project implementation in the Central Mamberamo Regency Government, Papua.

However, the suspects in this case have not been officially announced, including Ricky Ham Pagawak. The announcement will usually be made by the KPK together with the detention effort.

In this investigation, a number of witnesses have been examined. Not only that, investigators from the anti-corruption commission conducted a search last Wednesday, July 6 in Bekasi, West Java; Central Jakarta City; and Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta.

As a result, the KPK found documents containing cash flow transactions from the homes of a number of related parties in the area. The evidence will then be analyzed and confiscated later.