Abdul Gani Kasuba, governor of North Maluku, was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in a series of sting operations carried out in several different locations towards the end of 2023. The KPK succeeded in arresting dozens of people but named seven people as suspects in the case of alleged corruption. Among the alleged bribers was a director of PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk (NCKL). In May 2024, KPK announced that they began an investigation of alleged money laundering and at the same time expedited the dockets to the stage of prosecution. The prosecutors suspect Kasuba received over Rp90 billion of grafts during his tenure. This week, the Panel of Judges finally declared that Kasuba is guilty.

In December 2023 news emerged that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was carrying out sting operations in North Maluku and Jakarta. Soon, the KPK confirmed this news and stated that the operation was carried out in several locations including the Bidakara Hotel, South Jakarta. The KPK searched and sealed several offices in the North Maluku provincial government complex and conducted searches at the Governor’s office, the Education and Culture Department, the Public Works Department office, and the office of the Head of the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD).

Initially, it was suspected that the crimes committed were related to the “usual” auction of positions, but it was later discovered that this operation was also related to alleged corruption in the process of procurement of goods and services. From this operation, the KPK succeeded in arresting Abdul Gani Kasuba, governor of North Maluku, and 18 other people, including officials in the North Maluku provincial government and private parties.

Two days later, the KPK announced this case and named Kasuba as a suspect. This incident is unfortunate because Kasuba was supposed to end his term in office as governor of North Maluku on Dec. 31, 2023. However, of course this is his own fault because while he was in office it turned out that he also committed crimes like many other regional leaders did.

In the KPK’s explanation, apart from asking for fees and feedback from officials who want to hold certain positions in the provincial government and providing recommendations for officials in exchange for money, during his time as Governor, Kasuba also determined which contractors or companies would receive projects carried out by the provincial government. This company determination is also carried out in exchange for money. Not only that, Kasuba also received rewards from recommendations for granting permits for certain projects.

From this series of sting operations, the KPK secured a sum of Rp2.2 billion contained in an escrow account. This money was used for Kasuba’s personal interests. Apart from Kasuba, the KPK also named six other suspects, they are:

  • Head of the Housing and Settlement Department, Adnan Hasanudin,
  • Head of the Public Works Department, Daud Ismail,
  • Head of the Goods and Services Procurement Services Agency (BPPBJ), Ridwan Arsan,
  • Governor’s aide, Ramadhan Ibrahim.
  • Kristian Wuisan, a private party.
  • Stevi Thomas.

Herein lies the surprise this time. The Stevi Thomas referred to by the KPK is Stevi Thomas Congresco, director of PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk (NCKL), a subsidiary of PT Harita Jayaraya and part of PT Harita Guna Dharma Bakti, member of Harita Nickel.

Harita’s nickel processing plant is located on Obi Island, North Maluku, and Stevi is suspected of providing money to obtain permits for the construction of a road that passes through the company on Obi Island.

NCKL then confirmed the examination of Stevie. In a disclosure to IDX (https://www.idx.co.id/StaticData/NewsAndAnnouncement/ANNOUNCEMENTSTOCK/From_EREP/202312/7c6f339244_daad648a38.pdf), the company said the ongoing legal case does not significantly affect operations and financials. After the announcement, the company shares were traded lower by 2.43% to Rp1,005 on Thursday (Dec 21) to make a market capitalization of Rp63.41 trillion. NCKL has lost 17% from its IPO price (Rp1,250) early 2023.

After that, the inquisition process continued far from the media coverage. Little did we know that the process took place so quickly that Kristian was the first to face trial in February 2024. The case was examined at the Corruption Court of the Ternate District Court.

Kristian Wuisan, in the indictment, is identified by the alias Kian and is the managing director of PT Birinda Perkasa Jaya. Kristian is said to have committed his crimes since 2020 and provided grafts worth more than Rp3 billion to Kasuba. The trial proceeded far from media coverage, on May 3, 2024, the KPK prosecutors read out their demands. During the hearing, the prosecutors asked the Panel of Judges to declare Kristian guilty and sentence him to imprisonment for two years and 10 months and obligation to pay a fine of Rp100 million subsidiary three months in prison.

What is interesting about Kristian’s trial but certainly has gone unnoticed is the fact that Kristian insisted that he was being blackmailed and did not hand over the grafts voluntarily. Kristian apparently is serious about his defense that he filed a lawsuit against the Indonesian Government cq the Governor of North Maluku and one Ahmad Purbaja. Kristian filed a lawsuit claiming the parties had defaulted. The lawsuit is registered as Case No. 20/Pdt.G/2024/PN Tte. The parties tried to go through a mediation but the attempt failed on June 11, 2024. Just days ago, on Sept. 24, 2024, the lawsuit was declared cannot be accepted (N.O.)

Separately, Stevi, despite his flashy position, also faced his trial far from media coverage. What is unfortunate about the indictment, it is stated that in order to obtain the required permits, Stevi handed over a mere US$60,000, an amount that is not worth prison. Court proceedings for Stevi took place at the same time as Kristian’s trial and prosecutors have also read out demands for Stevi. The difference is, the prosecutors asked for a lighter sentence for Stevi, namely two years and two months in prison plus the obligation to pay a fine of Rp50 million subsidiary two months in prison.

Both Kristian and Stevi were found guilty on May 16, 2024. The court also decided to provide them with light sentences. Kristian was sentenced to two years and five months in prison with an obligation to pay a fine of Rp100 million subsidiary two months in prison. While Stevi was only sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison with an obligation to pay a fine of Rp50 million, subsidiary one month in prison.

The documents used in prosecuting Stevi were also used in the trial of Adnan Hasanudin. Adnan, with his position, is mentioned as collecting Rp800 million of grafts for Kasuba. The prosecutors demanded that the Panel of Judges give Adnan the same sentences which they demanded for Stevi. Adnan was eventually sentenced to two years in prison with an obligation to pay a fine amounted to Rp50 million subsidiary one month in prison.

Daud Ismail has also faced trial. The indictment stated that with his important position, Daud collected grafts worth more than Rp3 billion for Kasuba. With this role, the KPK prosecutors were convinced that Daud was guilty and asked the Panel of Judges to sentence Daud to three years in prison with obligation to pay a fine of Rp100 million subsidiary three months in prison. In the end, Daud was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison with obligation to pay fine amounted to Rp100 million subsidiary two months in prison.

The remaining three suspects, including Kasuba, face their trial on May 15, 2024.

The prosecutors, however, already revealed that in the indictment it was stated that Kasuba collected bribes amounting to Rp5 billion and US$60,000 along with receiving grafts worth Rp99.8 billion and US$30,000. This number is outrageous. In the midst of a flood of investment and a surge in exports from downstreaming service, the economic situation in North Maluku has indeed grown rapidly in the last 10 quarters, however, the poverty rate in this province has actually increased. Before the sting operation was carried out, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo even personally addressed this problem. This is why the revelation of this crime is unacceptable, that the regional leader is only taking advantage of economic growth for himself.

This situation became even more annoying after the KPK announced allegations that Kasuba was trying to hide the proceedings of his crime and laundering money with an economic value of more than Rp100 billion. What is even more annoying is that there are efforts by certain parties to prevent the KPK from disclosing this money laundering scheme, which is done in various ways, including not answering summons for examination of witnesses. This is not surprising and we know how “loyalty” is prioritized in regions outside Java.

That said, the figures mentioned by the KPK are not small, so we wonder if there will be other surprises in the trial. But before that, KPK announced that they had named a new suspect in the case, he is none other than the Head of the mentioned Education and Culture Department, Imran Jakub, whose office had been searched by the commission in the early stage of the investigation. Imran is said to have participated in the position trading conducted by Kasuba. Another new suspect is the former Chairman of the Regional Representative Council of Gerindra in North Maluku, Muhaimin Syarif, in his capacity as a business actor.

The chronology of the involvement of these two new suspects is not yet clear, but the commission explained that during his tenure as Governor, Kasuba received more than Rp102 billion from several corruption schemes committed individually or jointly with one Ramdhan Ibrahim, his aide, and Ridwan Arsan, head of the Goods and Services Procurement Service Agency.

Meanwhile, in the predicate crime, the trial continues. Ridwan Arsan had been found guilty last month. He was sentenced to four years and two months in prison. On the two other defendants, prosecutors finally read their demands a couple of weeks ago.

Prosecutors still believe that Ramadhan Ibrahim is guilty and ask the court to sentence him to four years and six months in prison plus a fine of Rp300 million subsidiary six months in prison. On the other hand, prosecutors also believe Kasuba is guilty and ask the Panel of Judges to sentence him to nine years in prison and be obliged to pay a fine of Rp300 million subsidiary six months in prison. Not only that, prosecutors also ask the court to sentence Kasuba to pay compensation of Rp109.06 billion and US$90,000

This week, the Panel of Judges finally announced that they decided in favor of the KPK.

Ramadhan was found guilty and was punished according to the prosecutors’ demands. Separately, Kasuba was also found guilty but the punishment is slightly lighter than the prosecutors’ demands. The Panel of Judges sentenced Kasuba to eight years in prison with an obligation to pay fine amounted to Rp300 million subsidiary six months in prison. Kasuba was also ordered to pay compensation to State losses amounted to Rp109.05 billion and US$90,000.

Kasuba is 72 years old.

By Pradnya Paramitha

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