Govt drops fraud charges against Kim<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Singgih announced that the
\ngovernment has dropped the criminal charges against textile
\nbusinessman Kim Johannes for lack of evidence to support the
\nallegation that he defrauded the monetary authorities.<\/p>\n
Singgih disclosed the decision during a hearing with
\nCommission III of the House of Representatives on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
He told the commission members however that Kim, the owner of
\nPT Deta Marina, would be asked to pay an administrative penalty
\nto the government for declaring fictitious exports.<\/p>\n
He said there were other considerations behind the decision to
\ndrop the case including socio-economic factors. He did not
\nelaborate.<\/p>\n
The elaboration came from Commission III Chairman Suhardi in
\nhis response welcoming the decision to stop the investigation.<\/p>\n
\"We have to handle this case with caution because it affects
\nemployment, state foreign exchange receipts and international
\ntrust in Indonesia,\" Suhardi said.<\/p>\n
Kim has been under investigation after Bapeksta, an agency at
\nthe Ministry of Finance which facilitates export services, said
\nthat he had obtained import duty rebates on some Rp 15 billion
\n($6.8 million) worth of fictitious exports from Bapindo, the
\nstate bank that handles the rebates.<\/p>\n
Singgih said his office had been pursuing Kim's case based on
\nthe 1971 corruption law.<\/p>\n
\"Based on our investigation and statements from officials of
\nthe monetary authorities, Bank Indonesia (central bank) could not
\nascertain the amount of losses inflicted by Kim's action.\"<\/p>\n
Instead, Kim has been asked to pay 10 percent of the declared
\nexports as an administrative penalty, Singgih said. (29\/imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-drops-fraud-charges-against-kim-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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