Manufandu is concerned that many Papuan officials have been caught in corruption cases

A senior Papuan figure, Michael Manufandu, expressed concern about the number of Papuan officials who have been caught in corruption cases recently.

Contacted by ANTARA from Manokwari, Friday, Manufandu said that the allegations that a number of government officials in Papua were involved in corruption cases had long been echoed by both President Joko Widodo and the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Mahfud MD.

"President Jokowi once made a speech that those who misused the Special Autonomy money from 2002 to 2015 were investigated and processed. Then Pak Mahfud MD once said that there were 10 Papuan officials involved in corruption cases," said Manufandu.

The former Indonesian Ambassador to Colombia and a government adviser for Papuan affairs hopes that the disclosure of the alleged corruption case of Papuan officials by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) can have a deterrent effect on officials in Papua.

So that the trillions of rupiah that have flown into Papua so far are actually used to build and prosper the people (Indigenous Papuans), not wasted on debauchery and building the luxury of certain elements.

"The money that flows into Papua must be planned and used properly for the benefit of the people, which focuses on four main issues, namely education, health, the people's economy and infrastructure in remote and remote villages," explained the former Mayor of Jayapura Administration.

He assessed that the increasing number of Papuan officials involved in corruption was also the result of weak supervision by the government at the top level.

Many officials in Cenderawasih consider state money as their personal money so that they can be used as they please without following applicable financial guidelines and procedures.

"Many do not understand that the money they manage is public money, but they think it is as if they have private money," he said.

Furthermore, Manufandu said that there are still many Papuan people who live in poverty in various limitations, have no place to live, sell barefoot areca nut, vegetables, fish on the side of the road just to survive.

"While the officials raise official cars, have luxury homes and even buy apartments in Jakarta, there are also those who have artist girlfriends. The question is where do they get all these luxuries from? I have been a bureaucrat for decades, have nothing, even children. "My children cannot pay for their education from the Special Autonomy Fund," said the former Director of the Jayapura Home Affairs Academy (APDN).

He asked the seriousness of the KPK, the prosecutor's office and the police to thoroughly investigate corruption in the Land of Papua.

"The KPK should open up all the cases openly, nothing should be covered up. Our joint task is to save the face of the government. and the people of Papua," said Manufandu.

Previously, KPK Deputy Chair Alexander Marwata said that the disclosure of a corruption case involving Papua Governor Lukas Enembe and Central Mamberamo Regent Ricky Ham Pagawak was to follow up on public reports and also various information received by the KPK.

Alex said that several times the KPK leaders visited Papua and always received complaints from anti-corruption activists and also from businessmen.

"It is as if the KPK does not exist in Papua Province, the KPK has long received information from the Papuan people related to corrupt practices and infrastructure development there. We do not stay silent, we coordinate with various parties and especially information from the public, " said Alex.

So far, he continued, the KPK has named three regional heads in Papua Province as suspects, namely the Mimika Regent Eltinus Omaleng (EO) in the alleged corruption case in the construction of the Kingmi Mile 32 Church in Mimika Regency.

Then, the Regent of Central Mamberamo Ricky Ham Pagawak (RHP) related to the alleged bribery case in the implementation of various infrastructure development projects in Central Mamberamo Regency.

Lastly, Papua Governor Lukas Enembe (LE). The KPK has not been able to fully inform the construction of the case that ensnared Lukas Enembe as a suspect.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that it has sufficient evidence to identify the three people as suspects. In addition, the KPK has also clarified several witnesses and also obtained documents as evidence.

"We hope that the support of the Papuan people regarding our efforts to eradicate corruption. We hope that such large funds that have been distributed by the central government in the form of special autonomy funds can really be used to improve the welfare of the Papuan people. Our hope is like that," said Alex.

SOURCE: https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3120905/manufandu-prihatin-banyak-pejabat-papua-tersandung-case-korupsi