KPK Reminds Local Governments To Improve Governance To Prevent Corruption Like The Lukas Enembe Mode

KPK/DOK ANTARA/Fianda Sjofjan Rassat

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) reminded local governments to improve governance to prevent misappropriation of regional head operational funds.

This warning came after the inactive Papua Governor Lukas Enembe was suspected of budgeting IDR 1 trillion for operational funds. This amount is greater than the provisions of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"KPK can only provide advice on improving governance of government administration so that there is no state or regional financial loss", KPK Deputy Chair Johanis Tanak told reporters in a written statement, Monday, July 3.

Johanis explained that Lukas was indeed allowed to determine his operational budget. "However, because Papua is included as a special autonomy area (otsus), we must look at the provisions of the governor's operational use ceiling as regulated in regional regulations", he said.

Previously, the KPK opened a new investigation regarding the alleged fraudulent practice carried out by Lukas Enembe. It is suspected that the inactive Papua Governor misappropriated operational funds during his tenure.

"Yes (it has been investigated, ed)", said Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu to reporters quoted on Friday, June 30.

This allegation strengthened after the KPK found that Lukas' operating funds since 2019 amounted to IDR 1 trillion per year. This value is considered unusual so it will be investigated.

The investigation will be carried out by tracing existing receipts, said Asep. "That's what we are trying to clarify coming to the restaurant, is it true that this is the date of the number of food messages here, how much, the amount, if it is true, is it true that it is up to IDR 1 billion one day that we need to clarify continuously", he explained.