Former North Minahasa Regent Arrested Following Corruption Fugitive Status

The North Sulawesi High Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati Sulut) team has arrested the Regent of North Minahasa for the 2016-2021 period, Vonnie Anneke Panambunan, also known as VAP, regarding an alleged corruption case involving land procurement for a hospital in the North Minahasa Regency.

“Yes, VAP is a fugitive sought by the North Sulawesi High Prosecutor’s Office related to the corruption case of the Walanda Maramis Hospital land procurement,” stated the Assistant for Intelligence of the North Sulawesi High Prosecutor’s Office, Eri Yudianto, in a statement on Tuesday (1/9).

Eri noted that the investigative team of the North Sulawesi High Prosecutor’s Office captured Vonnie after an investigation revealed the suspect was hiding in the Mimika Regency, Papua.

“The suspect frequently moved between hiding locations and was last known to be in Jakarta. However, the suspect was found to have moved to Papua, prompting prosecutors to immediately apprehend her,” he revealed.

Eri explained that the former Regent of North Minahasa was designated as a fugitive after failing to respond to three summons from the North Sulawesi High Prosecutor’s Office investigators. The suspect failed to attend any of the scheduled summons.

“The suspect was uncooperative when summoned by investigators, as she refused to appear despite being summoned three times. Consequently, prosecutors placed VAP on the most wanted list (DPO),” he clarified.

Currently, Eri stated that the former Regent of North Minahasa is at the North Sulawesi High Prosecutor’s Office to undergo further interrogation.

“Further details will be provided later by the Head of the North Sulawesi High Prosecutor’s Office,” he added.