Young Papuan Leaders Support KPK's Steps in Enforcing Corruption in Cendrawasih Earth

Young Papuan leader Absalom Kreway Yarisetouw supports and appreciates the KPK's steps in taking action against allegations of corruption that occurred in "Bumi Cendrawasih".

“If it is true that the Regent of Central Mamberamo is proven guilty, he will immediately be detained so that it becomes a lesson for others. This is an extraordinary achievement for the KPK and we continue to support the KPK in eradicating corruption in Cendrawasih Earth," Absalom said in a statement received in Jakarta Thursday.

The move by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to raise the status of a project corruption case in Central Mamberamo Regency, Papua Province, to the level of investigation has attracted widespread attention from the Papuan people. This law enforcement step is expected to increase the effectiveness of the Special Autonomy (Otsus) policy, which has been suspected to be hampered by the behavior of a number of officials who have been proven to be involved in corruption cases.

He hoped that the KPK would carry out an investigation up to the regional head level and immediately announce the suspects indiscriminately. Based on data released by the Corruption Eradication Commission plus data from other law enforcement parties, since 2008 there have been at least eight regional heads in Papua who have been arrested, detained or have the status of corruption suspects.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Polhukam) Mahfud MD said the government had mapped out the biggest corruption case in Papua which the authorities hoped to follow up. Mahfud emphasized that the government does not want allegations of corruption in Papua to continue. Meanwhile, regarding the latest corruption case in Central Mamberamo that was revealed by the KPK, two witnesses have been questioned at the Papua Regional Police. The two witnesses examined by the investigative team were President Director of PT Bumi Abadi Perkasa Jusieandra Pribadi Pampang and President Director of PT Bina Karya Raya as well as President Commissioner of PT Bumi Abadi Perkasa Simon Pampang. "The two witnesses were present and confirmed, among others, related to the implementation of the auction at the Central Mamberamo Regency Government and the alleged flow of a sum of money to obtain work projects from parties related to this case," said Acting KPK Spokesperson Ali Fikri.