KPK Continues Graft Probe into Papua Church Construction Project

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday continued its probe into allegations of corruption in the construction of the Kingmi Mile 32 Church in Mimika district, Papua province, by summoning eight witnesses.

The witnesses that the anti-graft body's investigators summoned for questioning were identified as Yerry Aweidato, Totok Suhartono, Evarardus Rico Kukuareyau, Elcardobes Sapakoly, Irsansari, Masmur, Melkisedek Snae, and Pandu Lokiswara Salam.

They were grilled at the office of the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, acting spokesperson for KPK, Ali Fikri, said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The witnesses comprised civil servants involved in the procurement and service committee for the Kingmi church construction project; PT Gavejuna director and commissioner of CV Jblessing; and president director of PT Swarna Bajapacific, he informed.

On Tuesday, KPK investigators had summoned six witnesses in connection with the graft case, but only four of them showed up.

"The witnesses were questioned to know about how the budget for the church construction was planned, and how the project was carried out," Ali Fikri said.

The four witnesses who showed up on Tuesday were identified as Marthen Tappi Malissa, Petrus Yumte, Dominggus J Macsurella, and Tri Hardini Pelitawati.

Malissa is former head of the Mimika regional secretary's finance office; Yumte is former head of the Mimika district administration's supporting unit for financial affairs (BPKAD); Macsurella is former head of procurement and service committee for the Kingmi church construction project; and, Pelitawati is head of PT Arina Adicipta Konsultan's branch office.

Ali Fikri said the two witnesses who failed to appear before the KPK on Tuesday would be summoned again in the near future. They were identified as Hendra Kamesywara, former head of the Mimika regional secretary office (2014-2015), and Philipus Dholame, a priest.

KPK is investigating allegations of corruption in the first phase of the construction of Kingmi Mile 32 Church, for which funds were allocated in the 2015 state budget.   

KPK investigators are currently gathering evidence in connection with the alleged graft case by grilling witnesses.

The KPK will maintain transparency and accountability in handling this case, as mandated by the country's anti-graft law, Ali Fikri said.

KPK investigators will make a public announcement after the suspects are arrested, he added.

Also Read: KPK Charges Former Dirgantara Indonesia Director over Major Corruption

ANTARA