KPK reporting head Ali Fikri said Lukas’ arrest was aimed at creating effectiveness in handling cases while still being guided by applicable legal principles and upholding human rights.
Papua Governor Lukas Enembe arrives at the Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital, Jakarta, Tuesday (10/1/2023). Lukas Enembe will undergo a medical examination before being examined by the KPK on Wednesday (11/1/2023). Lukas was arrested in Jayapura City, Papua, in connection with a case of accepting Rp. 1 billion in bribes and gratuities.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) arrest of Papua Governor Lukas Enembe on suspicions of receiving bribes of Rp 1 billion (US$70,651.78) or infrastructure development projects in the province, illustrates that corruption eradication continues in this country.
Some time ago, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) identified a number of suspicious transactions made by Lukas. These transactions, among others, included a cash deposit to a gambling casino in Singapore worth Rp 560 billion, which is equivalent to one-third of the special autonomy funds received by the Papuan provincial administration in 2022 of Rp 1.5 trillion.
After evading several of the KPK’s summons for examination on grounds of illness, Lukas, who had been named a suspect since 4 September, 2022, was finally arrested in Jayapura, Papua, on Tuesday (10/1/2023). The arrest was followed by a protest of Lukas’ supporters when he was flown from Silas Papare Air Base, Jayapura, to Jakarta. The incident led to four residents being shot. One of them died.
Upon arrival in Jakarta, Lukas was taken to the Gatot Soebroto Central Army Hospital to have his health checked.
KPK reporting head Ali Fikri said Lukas’ arrest was aimed at creating effectiveness in handling cases while still being guided by applicable legal principles and upholding human rights. “The investigation into this case upholds human rights and the fulfillment of the suspect’s personal rights. This is all for law enforcement,” he said.
The KPK has already detained Lukas’ suspected briber, namely PT Tabi Bangun Papua director Rijatono Lakka. Rijatono allegedly handed over Rp 1 billion to Lukas in the bidding process for a number of infrastructure development projects in the Papuan provincial administration.
The investigation into this case upholds human rights and the fulfillment of the suspect’s personal rights.
Rijatono is also suspected of bribing several officials within the administration. The agreement that Rijatono was after was the sharing of the percentage of project fees up to 14 percent of the contract value after deducting income tax and Value Added Tax (VAT).
According to Ali, Lukas, who served as Papua Governor for two periods from 2013 to 2023, is also suspected of receiving other gratuities totaling billions of rupiah. “The KPK is committed to handling these allegations of corruption in Papua until the end. This is a reflection of how the KPK eradicates corruption for the sake of encouraging the progress of Papuans who are prosperous and free from corruption,” he said.
KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO
The condition of a family house on the edge of Trans-Papua in Mandobo District, Boven Digoel, Papua, Tuesday (3/3/2020). Implementation of 20 years of special autonomy for Papua with large funds, no improvement has been felt in terms of the Human Development Index (IPM) for Papua which is still low and the level of poverty and inequality is still high.
Respecting the legal process
In response to Lukas’ arrest, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo emphasized that all citizens are equal before the law and must respect all applicable legal processes. What the KPK did, according to the President, was done based on facts and evidence. “I believe that if the KPK makes an arrest, then they must already have the facts and definitive evidence,” he said in Jakarta.
Aloysius Renwarin, as Lukas Enembe’s legal representative, stated that his client’s arrest was not accompanied by an arrest warrant. “The governor was arrested without undergoing an examination amid his poor health condition,” said Aloysius.
Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) coordinator Boyamin Saiman said that Lukas’ arrest emphasized that the state could not lose against people suspected of corruption. This creates legal certainty. “I believe that the people will accept this process and will not blindly support Lukas. The people want law enforcement,” he said.
Papua Regional Police public relations head Sr. Comr. Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo confirmed that several residents were shot when Lukas was leaving for Jakarta. He said three of the four residents who were shot were Lukas’ supporters who threw stones and bows at the security forces. One of them died during the incident. Another resident, a trader, was hit by a stray bullet amidst the commotion.
As of Tuesday (10/1) evening, Ignatius said, conditions from Jayapura to Sentani are stable. Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel and police officers patrol at night to prevent further actions from Lukas’ supporters.
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