TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Regent of Penajam Paser Utara of East Kalimantan, Abdul Gafur Mas’ud, or AGM, denied reports saying that he had purchased Malamber Island located in Balabalagan Islands, Makassar Strait, or a four-hour boat trip from Balikpapan.

The 1.4-hectare island of white sand and green forest had reportedly been sold by a resident named Rajab for Rp2 billion to AGM. Rajab had even received the down payment of Rp200 million. The island is under the administration of Mamuju Regency, West Sulawesi.

“On behalf of Abdul Gafur Mas'ud or AGM, we rebut the news. It was not true that AGM bought Malamber Island,” said Agus Amri from the Agus Amri and Affiliates Law Office, in Balikpapan, Monday, June 22.

According to Amri, AGM was not aware of the transaction as he never bought or made any transactions related to the island.

“We cannot comment on the transaction, because it is not our party who committed it. So we cannot explain its origin or from where the information emerged that there is a down payment of Rp200 million for the island,” Amri underlined.

He said the Penajam Paser Utara Regent was very disturbed by the news. Amri also regretted the explicit mention of the name and position of the regent, especially those which only contained the Balabalagan District Head's statement, Juara, about the sale of the island.

ANTARA