Kejati special crimes assistant Tugas Utoto said on Thursday that Burhanuddin had issued a principal permit, which was intended for use in transmigration, for industrial purposes on state land in Laikang, Mangarabombang, Takalar.

Tugas said 150 hectares of land was sold at Rp 18.5 billion to construction firm Karya Insan Cirebon, which used it for industrial purposes in 2015. The land had been used as an area for transmigrants since 1999.   

“As the regent, the suspect abused his authority by issuing the principal permit to Karya Insan Cirebon for the development of a heavy industrial zone in Laikang and Punya villages, as the land was allocated for transmigrants,” said Tugas.

Burhanuddin, who will end his term in office in December, was the fourth suspect named in the case. Previously, Mangarabombang district head Muhammad Noer Utary, Laikang village head Sila Laidi and his secretary, Andi Sose, were named suspects for allegedly selling the state land by manipulating the status of it, claiming that the land belonged to local communities.

Burhanuddin’s wife and children have also been questioned as they allegedly reaped financial benefits as a result of the alleged corruption. Their statuses remain as witnesses, however. (ebf)

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