TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Southeast Sulawesi governor, identified by his initials as NA, as a suspect in an alleged case of corruption related to exploration permits in Buton and Bombana districts.

"Based on the results of investigation, we found (an indication of) corruption in the issuance of mining permits in Southeast Sulawesi from 2009 to 2014. The KPK investigators have found two pieces of evidence and have named Southeast Sulawesi governor NA as a suspect," Deputy KPK Chairman Laode M Syarif said at the KPK building on Tuesday.

NA has been charged with violating Law No. 31/1999 as already amended through Law No. 20/2001 concerning eradication of corruption. Under the law, anyone found guilty of abusing authority, opportunities or facilities inherent to his/her post or position in a way that inflicts losses to the state finances and economy and of enriching himself/herself, other person or corporation may be sentenced to up to 20 years in jail and fined up to Rp1 billion.

"The suspect NA is believed to have violated the law and abused his authority to enrich himself, other person or corporation by issuing a decision approving exploration mining zone reserves, a decision approving an exploration mining business permit and a decision for upgrading an exploration mining business permit to a production operation mining business permit in favour of PT AHB company engaged in nickel mining in Buton and Bombana districts in Southeast Sulawesi," he informed.

The decisions are believed to have been in contradiction of the existing rule.

ANTARA