Amran Batalipu was arrested at his private home at around 4am. Several KPK investigators raided the house and immediately took Amran out to a car already waiting outside.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Central Sulawesi`s Buol District Head Amran Batalipu was arrested as a suspect in a corruption case linked to oil palm plantation licensing on Friday.

"He is on the way to Jakarta for questioning over alleged bribery," Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) spokesman Johan Budi said here on Friday.

Amran Batalipu was arrested at his private home at around 4am. Several KPK investigators raided the house and immediately took Amran out to a car already waiting outside.

Amran was then taken to the Tolitoli police resort around 300 kilometers north of Palu, Central Sulawesi, and from Tolitoli`s Lalos airport he was flown to Palu and later to Jakarta.

"The team of eight KPK investigators left Jakarta for Buol on Wednesday and we had been helped by the police there. The suspect did not defy the arrest," Johan said.

He said KPK had earlier sent a summons to Amran on July 2 but Amran had considered it fake.

"So, early on Friday we went there with a warrant to arrest him. Soon after his arrival in Jakarta he will be immediately questioned," he said.

Besides Amran KPK has also named Yani Anshori, the director of PT Citra Cakra Murdaya and Gondo Sudjono, operations director of PT Hardaya Inti Plantation as suspects in the case.

The two companies belong to national businessperson Siti Hartarti Murdaya.

Since June 28 KPK has issued a ban for Amran, Hartati Murdaya and as the owner of PT HIP, Bernard, Seri Sirithorn and Arim who are employees of PT HIP to go abroad.

Besides them the KPK has also banned Totok Lestiyo, the dirctor of PT HIP, Sukirno, an employee of PT HIP and Kirana Wijaya from PT CCM to travel abroad in connection with the case.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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