As reported by BeritaBali.com, the Criminal Division of the Bali Police is investigating a suspected case of human trafficking and fraud involving the ex-convict and former Regent of Jembrana, I Gede Winasa (74).
The investigation surfaced after several Jembrana Regency residents told police that they had been defrauded by the Patria Buana Education and Training Agency – LPPK (Lembaga Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Kerja Patria Buana) that the disgraced former Regent allegedly owns.
Complaints filed with the police claim that from May until July 2021, LPPK Patria Buana promised job seekers overseas work assignments in Japan and New Zealand. To secure the promised jobs, applicants were required to pay a Rp. 85 million fee per person fee. 50% of this amount was payable upfront, with the balance to be deducted from their wages earned while working in the promised foreign assignment.
Police reveal that many applicants who have paid as much as Rp.40 million are still waiting to depart Bali. Moreover, LPPK Patria Buana, which is said to be owned and managed by I Gede Winasa, has ceased operations without any explanatory notice to the people who have paid them for an overseas job.
Kadek CBA, one of the job applicants, told the police: “My friends and I feel like we have been defrauded. We have paid almost Rp. 40 million, but we have not received any news regarding our departure. LPPK no longer exists, and we do not know where to ask for help.”
Police Commissioner Jansen Avitus Panjaitan, S.I.K., M.H., has confirmed that police have received formal complaints alleging fraud and human trafficking crimes committed by I Gede Krisna. Panjaitan said police continue to investigate the multiple criminal charges.
Bali police have promised that suspects and witnesses would soon be summoned to provide evidence. Police assure the public that the case will be thoroughly investigated.
Commenting further, Kadek CBA said: “We only seek justice. We want our money back and those responsible to be processed under the law.”
Recent developments form part of a growing list of criminal acts involving I Gede Wisnasa, the former Jimbaran Regent. Winasa earned conditional early release from a 10-year prison sentence in July 2024. Winasa was earlier imprisoned for six years, fined Rp. 200 million, and ordered to pay compensation of Rp. 797.5 million in connection with fraudulent reimbursement of official travel claims. Separately, Winasa was sentenced to seven years in prison for corrupting scholarship funds, for which he was also fined Rp. 500 million and compelled to reimburse Rp. 2,322 billion. A third case involving the corruption of funds to secure composting equipment saw Winasa sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.
Winasa, a member of the PDI-P Party, served as the Regent of Jembrana from 2000 until 2010. He was once married to Ratna Ari Lestari, the Regent of Banyuwangi, East Java, who divorced Winasa in 2013.
Winasa ran unsuccessfully to become Bali’s Governor in 2008.
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