MCW Assists KPK to Trace Fuad Amin's Asset

Bangkalan, East Java (Antara) - The local anti-corruption group Madura Corruption Watch (MCW) is helping the anti-graft agency KPK to trace the assets of the recently arrested speaker of Bangkalan district's legislative assembly, Fuad Amin Imron. "Based on temporary results, Fuad Amin Imron's assets were found in three locations: Surabaya, Bali, and Jakarta," MCW Director Syukur noted in a press statement here on Thursday. Fuad owns a home in Surabaya, the capital of East Java and also in Jakarta. In Bali, he has two hotels, one of which is named "Avanee Residence." Avanee Residence Hotel was purchased only in November 2014 at a price of Rp16 billion with a down payment of Rp4 billion, he remarked. He revealed that his assets on Madura Island include a plot of land in the Suramadu Bridge area and Khayangan Residence housing estate on Jalan Raya Junuk along with several gasoline stations. "He is very smart. His assets are not registered under his name but others. The plot of land at Suramadu is under the name of another person, but everybody knows it belongs to Fuad," he noted. Since he was installed as Bangkalan district regent in 2003 until the end of his second term in 2012, Fuad's wealth had grown exponentially. When he first registered himself as a candidate for Bangkalan district head, he had reported his wealth at only around Rp1.3 billion. However, during the two terms in office until 2012, his wealth increased significantly, with his assets spreading across several big cities such as Surabaya and Jakarta. "The salary of a district head in Madura is maximally recorded at only Rp15 million a month including allowances," he added. Regarding the Khayangan Residence housing estate, he said it was previously reported as belonging to celebrity Syahrini, but later it was found to be owned by Fuad Amin Imron. "Fuad and Syahrini indeed had met in Surabaya when Fuad was still a Bangkalan district head before the estate was developed," he noted. Fuad Amin Imron was caught red-handed receiving bribe money by a team from KPK at around 12:30 a.m. local time, on Tuesday, at his home on Jalan Raya Saksak, Bangkalan. The KPK confiscated Rp700 million worth of cash, three bags of bills, and several important documents from him. The KPK team also arrested a navy officer and a regional government-owned company staff allegedly involved in the case. Fuad, who is known as a revered Islamic cleric and a community figure on the island of Madura, has been held at the KPK detention center. The KPK is currently also investigating the current Bangkalan district head Moh. Makmun Ibnu Fuad, who is suspected to also be involved in the case. Moh. Makmun Ibnu Fuad is the son of Fuad Amin. (*) Reporting by Abd Aziz