Chairman of Bali KADIN arrested in connection with embezzlement case worth more than IDR16 billion

Bali Police arrested Anak Agung Alit Wiraputra, the chairman of the Bali KADIN (Indonesian Chamber of Commerce), at the Bellagio Hotel in Kuningan, Jakarta yesterday morning. According to local sources, Alit was taken into custody in relation to the embezzlement of project licensing funds at Benoa Port worth IDR16.1 billion (US$1,136,965).

Police were reportedly forced to arrest the Gerindra Party candidate due to his failure to turn up for questioning previously.

“The person concerned was not present at the summons as a suspect on Tuesday (9/4) so that it was continued with an arrest effort,” said the director of the Bali Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Andi Fairan, as quoted by Bali Post.

Following the arrest, Wiraputra was taken back to Bali on a Citilink flight.

At a previous press conference held in Denpasar on Jan. 30, Alit strongly denied the alleged embezzlement of the funds, which originated from an agreement regarding the development of Benoa Port.

“I emphasize that there is no embezzlement of funds amounting to IDR16.1 billion. All the funds have clear and known accountability from the board of directors and commissioners,” he said at the time, as quoted by Tribun Bali.

In a similar case, Bali Police were also forced to arrest Ketut Sudikerta, the former deputy governor of Bali, after he repeatedly failed to turn up for police questioning in relation to fraud and embezzlement cases.