Yogi Ernes, Jakarta – Non-active Papua governor Lukas Enembe has spoken out about the issue of Free Papua Organisation (OPM) figure Benny Wenda coming to his defense and allegations that money from his alleged corruption has flowed to the OPM.
He denies that any money had flowed into OPM. "There isn't any", said Enembe at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) building in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Friday February 10. He was responding to the issue of the flow of proceeds from his alleged corruption to the OPM.
Enembe says that he does not have any links with the OPM and that he is loyal to Indonesia. "There's isn't [any link]. Note what I say, NKRI [the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia] is non-negotiable", explained Enembe.
Enembe also claimed that he is not acquainted with Wenda or the Indonesian pilot Anton Gobay who was recently arrested in the Philippines over the trafficking of firearms.
Enembe again insisted that NKRI is non-negotiable. "There's no link, I don't know [Wenda or Gobay]. For me NKRI is non-negotiable", he said.
Potential flow of funds to OPM
United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) leader Benny Wenda's defense of Enembe has triggered suspicions. The KPK subsequently said that they are ready to investigate whether or not there has been a flow of funds from Enembe to the OPM.
Wenda's statement in defense of Enembe was initially conveyed in a posting on his Twitter account. He said that Enembe is in danger and must be released. He also claimed that the corruption case that has ensnared Enembe is fabricated.
"Indonesia must immediately release Governor Lukas Enembe who was arrested on false corruption charges. Governor Enembe is paralysed and needs immediate medical attention. Meanwhile he is being detained by Indonesia, his life is in danger", tweeted Wenda on Thursday January 12.
The KPK then investigated the potential flow of funds from Enembe to the OPM. The KPK is currently gathering evidence.
"Regarding the flow of funds we are gathering evidence, we are of course following the money. So of course we will then investigate the flow of money, we are also studying if other articles can be applied aside from the articles on bribery and gratification", said KPK spokesperson Ali Fikri at the KPK building on Friday January 13.
Enembe has been declared a suspect in a bribery and gratification case valued at 11 trillion rupiah. KPK investigators are in the process of tracing Enembe's assets that may have originated from corruption.
"We assure you the KPK is also investigating the flow of funds in the form of converted assets or where the money flowed, if it was given to another party after allegedly being received by the suspect LE (Lukas Enembe), we assure you this is also being delved into", said Fikri. (ygs/haf)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Lukas Enembe Bantah Dugaan Aliran Duit ke OPM: NKRI Harga Mati".]
