Indonesia's Anti-Graft Agency Detains Papuan Governor Lukas Enembe on Bribery Charges

JAKARTADAILY.ID - Indonesia’s anti-graft agency KPK arrested Lukas Enembe, an outspoken governor of the country's restive easternmost Papua province on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.

The spokesperson of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Ali Fikri said Lukas was accused of accepting bribes in return for some multi-year infrastructure contracts.

In what may be the initial lead from KPK investigators, Lukas Enembe last week was accused by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) of taking Rp 1 billion ($64,409) from a construction firm for multi-year concessions that included a road and facilities at a preschool.

He has denied the allegations.

Lukas Enembe is a prominent local politician, who has strong support from the locals.

He has locked horns with the central government over its policies in the special autonomous region.

Lukas was flown to the capital Jakarta for interrogation, KPK spokesperson Ali Fikri said.

KPK's Ali Fikri said the agency has followed the procedures, regarding the arrest of Lukas.

"We sent an official summons letter properly and legitimately to the person (Lukas Enembe) several days ago. We have announced it to the public," Fikri said, as quoted by the government-owned news agency ANTARA.

A request for medical treatment in Singapura

The KPK's spokesperson also explained the request from Enembe's lawyers to allow the Papua Governor to take medical treatment in Singapore.

"With regards to the narratives of being sick and the documents sent officially about the suspect's health, once again, we do not immediately believe it," said Ali Fikri, adding that KPK has sent a medical expert team to meet the governor. 

KPK also highlights Lukas Enembe's public appearance during an inauguration of the office building of the Papua governor. 

"The suspect appeared in the public space to inaugurate some projects of the provincial government of Papua. We regret that information sent by the lawyers contradicts this fact," said Ali Fikri.

Tensions have boiled for decades