KPK Asks for Lukas’ Cooperation Once More

KPK hope that Lukas Enembe will cooperate and answer the KPK investigators’ summons. That is where he will be able to explain himself.

KOMPAS

KPK spokesman Ali Fikri, Tuesday (20/9/2022), said that the KPK investigation of the Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe, was purely law enforcement without any other interests.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has again asked for Papuan Governor Lukas Enembe’s cooperation in responding to summons from investigators. Though he has been summoned by the KPK twice, his attorney claims that Lukas is unable to travel to Jakarta due to illness.

The investigation has led Lukas to be named a suspect for allegedly receiving Rp 1 billion (US$66.500) in bribes. The KPK is also currently investigating a few other cases related to Lukas. The KPK received data from the state-run Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), which found suspicious transactions of 55 million Singapore dollars or Rp 560 billion ($38.7 million) deposited in cash at casinos.

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“We hope that the suspect will cooperate and answer the KPK investigators’ summons. That is where he will be able to explain himself. Public speculations cannot be used as evidence,” said KPK news head Ali Fikri, when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday (21/9/2022).

He ensured that Lukas’ rights would be respected in accordance with the law. Ali also emphasized that corruption eradication efforts in Papua are intended to advance national development, namely for the welfare and prosperity of a just society.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD said that Lukas was suspected of having a money laundering manager. When asked about the whereabouts of the said money laundering manager, Mahfud said that it was still part of the investigation. He encouraged the KPK to confirm it with Lukas.

KOMPAS/FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA

Demonstrations demanding that the KPK stop the legal process in the case of Papua Governor Lukas Enembe in Jayapura City on Tuesday (20/9/2022).

Request to be questioned at his home

Lukas’ first questioning was initially scheduled for Monday (12/9) at the Papua Police’s Mobile Brigade headquarters (Mako Brimob) in Jayapura. However, Lukas was unable to attend due to illness. When contacted from Jakarta, Roy Rening, a representative of Lukas’ legal team, said that Lukas had received a second summons on Tuesday (20/9). He explained that Lukas intended to go to Jakarta to answer the summons and explain why he received Rp 1 billion. However, due to his high blood pressure, Lukas’ personal doctor said it would be dangerous to fly.

Another representative of Lukas’ legal team, Aloysius Renwarin, added that they request the investigation to proceed in Jayapura. The team proposed that the investigation be conducted in Lukas’ residence in Koya. “His health has not yet improved. We ask the KPK to understand his condition,” he said.

Indonesia Corruption Watch researcher Kurnia Ramadhana said answering summons from law enforcement is an obligation of all Indonesian citizens. This is especially so for Lukas who as a regional head has a moral obligation to set a good example for the people.

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He hopes that the KPK will take legal action by using force to pick up Lukas if he remains uncooperative. This is important to guarantee the rights of the suspect, which is to obtain legal certainty through the process of investigation, prosecution and trial. Regarding Lukas’ health condition, Kurnia urged the KPK to seek opinions from the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI), as was done during the electronic ID card (e-KTP) case.

Meanwhile, during a work meeting with the House of Representatives Commission II, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian emphasized that Lukas’ case had nothing to do with him. Tito admitted that he was on good terms with Lukas but cannot interfere when it concerns legal matters. Lukas’ involvement was discovered upon findings in the banking system. He revealed that there was money in the bank accounts of Lukas and his sons that did not add up. Thus, the PPATK conducted an investigation and handed the case over to the KPK upon suspicion of criminal acts.

According to Kompas, the Jayapura municipality and Jayapura regency are in conducive conditions on Wednesday. Previously, on Tuesday morning until later in the afternoon, thousands of supporters of Lukas, who were members of the Papuan People’s Coalition, rallied at several locations.

Deputy chief of the Papua Police Brig. Gen. Ramdani Hidayat explained that his party detained 14 protestors for carrying liquor, sharp weapons and explosives. Seven were detained at the Jayapura police precinct, while the other seven were detained at the Jayapura Police station.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.