DPR Member Demands Thorough Probe into Coal Corruption Without Intervention

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR) Abdullah has urged the Police’s Corruption Eradication Corps (Kortastipidkor) to thoroughly investigate the alleged corruption case related to coal at state electricity firm PLN, which reportedly triggered blackouts in Sumatra, and insisted there must be no intervention from any party. According to him, the alleged corruption has caused widespread public harm as it concerns the fulfilment of a basic right, namely energy needs. “All stakeholders involved in handling this corruption case must cooperate to investigate it thoroughly,” Abdullah said in Jakarta on Thursday. He therefore expressed appreciation and support for the Metro Jaya Police and the National Police’s Kortastipidkor, who are currently investigating the coal corruption case. He stated that corruption is an extraordinary crime that the entire Indonesian people continue to fight. “Anyone who does not support the eradication of corruption is effectively opposing the Indonesian people,” he said. Previously, a joint team from the National Police and Metro Jaya Police seized a quantity of foreign currency, which is still being counted, along with various important documents during a raid on a café in the Cipete area of South Jakarta on Wednesday (8/7). Metro Jaya Police spokesperson, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, explained that the raid was connected to the investigation of three major cases: the alleged corruption in coal procurement that triggered a total blackout at PLN, a corruption case at PT Asabri, and a case at PT Krakatau Steel. “Hidden behind a cupboard, there was a safe and it has been opened. It turns out there were several documents and a storage of money in a considerably large, fantastic amount, in Singapore Dollar and US Dollar currencies,” he said. Police stated that they conducted searches at 12 different locations across Jakarta and its surrounding areas.