The rector of Udayana University, I Nyoman Gde Antara, is caught in a corruption scandal centering on the misappropriation of funds from student enrollment between 2018 to 2022.
The spokesman of the Bali High Prosecutors’ Office, Putu Agus Eka Sabana Putra, said that Gde Antara was declared a suspect on March 8 after investigators found sufficient evidence linking him to the crime. Prosecutors did not yet reveal where the allegedly misappropriated funds went.
In total, the state suffered IDR443 billion (US$28,807,359) in losses from the scheme.
Prosecutors are also delving into possible money laundering in the case, working closely with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK).
In addition, three officials of the Jimbaran-based public university have been charged in the conspiracy, namely IKB, IMY, and NPS.
Separately, Gde Antara told Kumparan that he will respect the legal process in light of his status as a suspect.
However, he insisted that all funds from the new student enrollment had entered the state funds and were all recorded by the university’s digital financial system.
Udayana University’s attorney, Agus Sujoko, also said that the university’s financial records have been audited each year and so far no misappropriations have been found.
Under Indonesian law, Gde Antara could face 20 years behind bars for corruption.
