4.5 Hours of Questioning: What Is the KPK Investigating in Pancasila Youth Leader Japto's Case?

Japto Soerjosoemarno, Chairman of Pemuda Pancasila (PP), was questioned by the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) on Tuesday, 10 March.

Japto was summoned by the KPK to be examined as a witness in an alleged corruption case involving three coal companies in Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan.

The interrogation of Japto was conducted by investigators for approximately 4.5 hours. Nevertheless, he declined to comment on the matters explored by the investigators during the examination.

Japto stated that he complied with the KPK’s summons as a matter of legal responsibility as an Indonesian citizen (WNI).

“Ask the investigators then, why are you asking me? I came to fulfil my legal responsibility,” he told reporters.

Meanwhile, KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that they were investigating allegations of “security service” payment flows from coal mining operations at PT Alamjaya Barapratama to Japto.

“Investigators are examining allegations regarding the receipt of payments from the mining results of PT ABP as security service fees,” he explained.

In addition to Japto, the KPK had also summoned witness Abdi Khalik Ginting as a commissioner of PT Bara Kumala Sakti for the period 2010–2022. However, he requested a rescheduling due to a conflict with another engagement.

Previously, the KPK had just designated three coal companies in Kutai Kartanegara as suspects in an alleged corruption case. The case remains connected to former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari.

The three companies designated as suspects by the KPK, based on an Investigation Order Letter (Sprindik) issued in February, are PT Sinar Kumala Naga, PT Alamjaya Barapratama, and PT Bara Kumala Sakti.

These three companies produce coal and are located in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, and are suspected of being used as a vehicle for accepting gratification by Rita.

“Well, we continue to investigate this. Including its connection to the seizure of vehicles controlled by JP that investigators conducted, of course that will also be confirmed later,” explained Budi.

Meanwhile, Rita Widyasari is being prosecuted further by the KPK for allegedly receiving gratification related to coal mining, amounting to approximately US$3.3 to US$5 per metric tonne of coal.

Rita is also alleged to have disguised the receipt of this gratification, leading the KPK to apply the Money Laundering (TPPU) provision.

Currently, Rita is serving time at Pondok Bambu Women’s Prison after being sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor) on 6 July 2018. She was convicted of receiving gratification totalling IDR 110.7 billion and bribes of IDR 6 billion from permit applicants and project contractors.

Additionally, Rita is mentioned in the case involving former KPK investigator AKP Stepanus Robin Pattuju. In that case, Rita remains a witness.

As for Japto, Pemuda Pancasila East Kalimantan Chairman Said Amin, and Pemuda Pancasila Deputy Chairman Ahmad Ali were previously examined by the KPK as witnesses for Rita last year. The examination stemmed from investigators’ suspicions regarding money related to criminal activity flowing to Pemuda Pancasila leadership.

Various pieces of evidence, including tens of billions of rupiah in cash, dozens of luxury vehicles and documents, were seized by investigators during searches at the residences of these three witnesses.