KPK finally arrests corruption suspect Papua Governor Lukas Enembe

Papua Governor Lukas Enembe. Photo: papua.go.id
Papua Governor Lukas Enembe. Photo: papua.go.id

Months after he was named a corruption suspect, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) today arrested Papua Governor Lukas Enembe over allegations of bribery.

Lukas is en route to Jakarta this afternoon, his lawyer confirmed, after KPK and police officers arrested the politician at a restaurant in Jayapura at 11am local time.

Lukas made a transit at a police station prior to his departure from Jayapura. There, a small group of his supporters, armed with sharp weapons, briefly carried out a protest before police dispersed them by firing warning shots.

KPK named Lukas a suspect in September 2022, with the governor accused of receiving IDR1 billion (US$66,624) in bribes related to infrastructure projects in his province.

Lukas has missed numerous KPK summons for questioning, citing health reasons in one instance.

Also in September 2022, the Center for Financial Transaction Reporting and Analysis (PPATK) said it obtained evidence that Lukas had made transactions at casinos abroad amounting to SGD55 million (IDR560 billion or US$39 million).

Though it appeared the transactions were made as part of a money laundering scheme, corruption watchdog the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Community (MAKI) subsequently released footage of Lukas gambling — sometimes in a wheelchair and with lady companions — in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Flight records showed that he had traveled to the three countries between December 2021 and August 2022.



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