I believe that KPK law enforcement and (their corruption) eradication works have clear legal basis and laws, and authorities have also been granted to KPK as long as they base their actions on clear evidence
Semarang, Central Java (ANTARA) - Everyone is equal before the law, and all residents and officials must abide by the national laws, even if they have been named suspects in criminal cases, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has emphasized.



"Everyone must abide by the law enforcement, which is our commitment as a law-abiding nation," he said in reference to the ongoing legal action against Papua Governor Lukas Enembe here on Friday.



The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has summoned Enembe, who has been named a suspect in a corruption case, for questioning on Monday (September 26, 2022). He failed to respond to an earlier KPK summon on September 12 due to illness.



"I believe that KPK law enforcement and (their corruption) eradication works have clear legal basis and laws, and authorities have also been granted to KPK as long as they base their actions on clear evidence," the Vice President noted.



Related news: KPK names 28 suspects in Jambi bribery case


He affirmed that everyone is equal before the law and no one can exempt themselves from legal consequences.



"I also believe everyone must undergo the legal process (if required) on clear evidence. Let us see the legal process, and there will be no exception (made for anyone),” Amin remarked.



Earlier, Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, informed that Enembe has been implicated in gratuities and money laundering cases, as well as other corruption cases pertained to the leadership's operational funds and the management of the National Sports Week.


Related news: Police deployed in sensitive areas of Papua's Jayawijaya


An investigation by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) into Enembe's financial transactions found that the governor transferred a total of US$55 million to a casino in multiple transactions. The agency also found another US$5 million transferred by Enembe in one transaction.



In response, PPATK blocked Enembe's bank accounts, freezing Rp71 billion in his assets.



Moreover, deputy chairperson of the KPK, Alexander Marwata, also appealed to Enembe to abide by the commission’s summons and appease residents agitated by the KPK's actions against the governor.


Related news: Gov't disburses Rp214 bln in fuel cash assistance in West Papua



"We will call again. We ask Mr. Enembe and his legal advisor to be present at the Corruption Eradication Commission or (inform whether he wants) to be questioned in Jayapura," he said.



The KPK has always upheld the principle of the presumption of innocence in investigating cases of alleged corruption, Marwata added.


Related news: Enembe corruption includes irregularities worth billions of rupiah

Related news: Enembe graft probe not a political fake out: minister

Translator: Desca Lidya N, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022