Indonesian Governor Lucas Enembi (pictured) is accused of embezzling millions of dollars to gamble in casinos, including Crown Perth. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Gaps in the numbers
An Indonesian governor is the subject of an embezzlement investigation based on allegations that he bet government money at the Crown Resorts casino in Australia.
Lucas Enembi, the governor of Papua, first made headlines in 2021 after an anonymous guide warned Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission that he was embezzling government funds. Then the details of his lavish gambling life were slowly revealed as more accusations spread.
They embezzled “hundreds of millions of dollars”
Although Enembi receives an annual salary of $7,764, Indonesian authorities claim to have tracked $36.2 million back to the governor since 2017. Altogether, the Papuan governor is believed to have embezzled “hundreds of millions of dollars.”
source of wealth
Enimbi had the opportunity to confront the noises about his possible crimes but he refused to do so. The Anti-Corruption Authority invited him to appear twice, but he refused both times. The 55-year-old said each time that he was in poor health and could not leave his residence.
Able to afford the high lifestyle costs of a gold mine
Although not appearing in public, Enembe stated that he was able to afford the high lifestyle costs with a gold mine he owned in Papua. Notably, the Grasberg Mine in Central Papua is one of the largest gold and copper reserves in the entire world.
However, Enembe has not submitted papers regarding his ownership of any mine in Indonesia. Furthermore, the head of the Papua mining community, Dolpinus Weya, said Enembe’s claim was false and was only made in the hope of “covering[ing] in the corruption case.
Instead, investigators accuse Enembi of making millions by taking money from an official account of the regional autonomy. They believe he funneled the money to multiple accounts, including those of his children, to hide the deception.
The habit of gambling in Enembe
Investigators have a compelling case against Enembi, and the smoking gun is footage from Crown Perth Casino. Enembe can be seen on the gambling bar and flaunt his fortune by paying for various amenities.
Gambling is illegal in Indonesia under Section 303 of the country’s criminal code – although Enembe was videotaped in Australia, where it is legal, it still raises the question of why a government figure is involved in such prohibited activities.
Reports indicate that the governor of Papua has been caught gambling elsewhere in addition to Perth. Tempo Magazine He claims that a bank manager spent $50,000 renting a private jet for Enembi, who then flew to and from Brisbane in four days.
Despite the accusations against him, Enyimbi still enjoys strong core support. According to local media reports, his followers had locked the doors of his house and stood guards to protect him from his opponents.
On Monday, a lawyer representing Enembe denied allegations that he used taxpayer money to fuel his gambling habit. He also said his client only started gambling after he fell ill to make a “comfortable and refreshing change”.
