KPK Opens Opportunity To Appoint Alfamidi As A Corporate Suspect After Bribing Former Mayor Of Ambon

Illustration of the KPK Building in South Jakarta. (Antara)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has the opportunity to name PT Midi Utama Indonesia (Alfamidi) as a corporate suspect.

This step is open because the bribe money for former Ambon City Mayor Richard Louhenapessy to facilitate licensing is suspected to have come from the company.

"We will of course also analyze this matter," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, to reporters, Tuesday, August 9.

However, the analysis of the company's involvement will not be carried out in a hurry. Ali said investigators were still focusing on Richard's alleged bribery.

"At this time we are still focusing on fulfilling the completeness of the evidence for the bribery first with the suspect RL (Richard Louhenapessy) and his friends," he said.

Previously, the KPK investigated the origin of Richard Louhenapessy's bribe. The investigation was carried out by examining a number of witnesses, one of which was General Manager License of PT Midi Utama Indonesia Agus Toto Ganeffian.

He was examined on Friday, August 5 last. Investigators are looking into the flow of money from Alfamidi.

Previously reported, Richard and administrative staff led by the Ambon City Government Andrew Erin Hehanusa (AEH) were named suspects as bribe recipients in the alleged bribery case related to the licensing principle for the construction of retail branches in 2020 in Ambon City and receiving gratuities.

Meanwhile, the bribe giver is Amri (AR) from the private sector or an employee of Alfamidi Ambon City.

Regarding the construction of the case, the KPK explained that in 2020 Richard, who served as Mayor of Ambon City for the 2017-2022 period, had the authority, one of which was to give approval for the principle permit for the construction of retail branches in Ambon City.

In the processing of the permit, it is suspected that the suspect Amri was actively communicating and held a meeting with Richard so that the permit for the construction of the Alfamidi retail branch could be immediately approved and issued.

Following up on Amri's request, Richard then ordered the Head of PUPR of the Ambon City Government to immediately process and issue various permit applications, including a place of business permit (SITU) and a trading business license (SIUP).

For each permit document that was approved and issued, Richard asked for the delivery of money with a minimum nominal value of IDR 25 million using a bank account belonging to Andrew, who is Richard's confidant.

As for the issuance of approval in principle for the construction of 20 Alfamidi outlets, there is an allegation that Richard received IDR 500 million from Amri through Andrew's bank account. In addition, Richard is also suspected of receiving a number of funds from various parties as gratuities.