Papua Regent Arrested over Graft after 7 Months on the Run

TheIndonesia.co - The regent of Central Mamberamo Papua, Ricky Ham Pagawak was arrested for a graft allegation on Sunday, February 19, after being chased for 7 months. 

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested Ricky during a raid in the Abepura area, the capital area of Jayapura, KPK spokesman Ali Fikri said.

Ricky was charged with money laundering and bribes taking but fled away to the neighboring country, Papua New Guinea when KPK was about to bring him into custody last July.

"The suspect is currently being detained at the Brimob (Mobile Brigade) headquarters in Papua," the spokesman said.

Ricky is accused of accepting USD 1.6 million from three businessmen who won infrastructure projects in Central Mamberamo. The businessmen are currently facing trial in Jakarta.

Ricky's arrest reduces the number of KPK's graft fugitives to three; Kirana Kotama aka Thay Ming, a fugitive since June 2017, Harun Masiku, a fugitive since January 2020, and Paulus Tannos aka Thian Po Tjin, a fugitive since October 2021.