Polda Set 3 Suspects Alleged Corruption KONI West Papua

West Papua Police Criminal Investigation Director Kombes Sonny Marisi Nugroho Tampubolon (second from the left) during a press conference in Manokwari, Monday. (ANTARA/Fransiskus Salu Weking)

MANOKWARI - The West Papua Regional Police (Polda) have named three suspects in the alleged corruption case in the management of grant funds by the West Papua National Sports Committee (KONI) with the initials DI, AW, and R.

"We have raised the status of three witnesses as suspects," said West Papua Police Criminal Investigation Director Kombes Sonny Marisi Nugroho Tampubolon as reported by ANTARA, Monday, May 15.

He explained that the total grant funds received by KONI sourced from the West Papua Provincial Budget for three years amounted to Rp227.49 billion, namely in 2019 Rp60 billion, in 2020 Rp99.9 billion, and in 2021 Rp67.5 billion.

Based on the results of an audit by the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) Number PE.03.02/SR-130/PW27/5/2023 dated May 11, 2023, it was found that state losses amounted to Rp32.079 billion.

"After the results of the audit, we will determine the suspect," explained Sonny.

He said the number of witnesses examined in an effort to uncover cases of misappropriation of grant funds at the West Papua KONI was approximately 93 people.

After the three witnesses have been named suspects, the police will carry out developments to reveal the involvement of other parties.

"If there are new suspects, we will immediately release them," he said.

Currently, he said, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation of the Regional Police has submitted a letter to the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) to trace the flow of funds that are suspected of money laundering.

The case has attracted the attention of the West Papua Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Tahi Monang Silitonga so that it can be resolved as soon as possible

"Hopefully there will be no obstacles so that we can find an account number that is suspected to be a holder," he said.

According to him, the number of suspects will increase after an in-depth investigation of the roles of each suspect who is the management of the West Papua KONI.

Sonny also promised to present the suspects and evidence of corruption at the press conference on the results of the development of the case.

"Next week we will hold a press conference again because on May 22-23 we will have a meeting at the Criminal Investigation Unit," he said.