East Java Attorney General's Office raids ESDM Department office over alleged extortion case

Surabaya (ANTARA) - The East Java High Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati Jatim) carried out a search at the East Java Energy and Mineral Resources Department (Dinas ESDM) office as part of the investigation into an alleged illegal levy (pungli) case related to permitting.

Head of the Legal Information Section at Kejati Jatim, Adnan Sulistiyono, confirmed the search as part of the probe into the alleged corruption of illegal levies in the issuance of permits.

“Correct, this concerns the investigation into the alleged criminal act of corruption involving illegal levies in the issuance of permits at the East Java Provincial ESDM Department. Today, investigators conducted a search at the East Java ESDM Department office to find and seize supporting evidence, whether in the form of documents or letters, as well as electronic evidence (BBE),” Adnan said when contacted in Surabaya on Thursday.

He explained that the search was a follow-up step in gathering evidence to bolster the case construction being examined by investigators.

According to him, investigators are tracing administrative permit documents and electronic devices suspected to be linked to illegal levy practices in public services in the energy and mineral resources sector within the provincial government.

However, Adnan did not detail the parties who have been questioned or potential suspects in the case, as the investigation is still ongoing.

“Further developments will be conveyed later,” he stated.

This search is part of Kejati Jatim’s commitment to pursuing alleged corruption in the public services sector, particularly related to strategic permitting processes that could have broad impacts on government governance and regional investment.

To date, investigators are still collecting additional evidence, and no official statements have been made regarding the interim results of the search.

Based on observations at the location, as of around 5:51 PM WIB, the investigative team was still inside the building conducting the search and examination of several documents suspected to be related to the case being handled.

The investigative team from the special crimes division (Pidsus) of Kejati Jatim arrived at the East Java Provincial ESDM Department office around 12:00 PM WIB with several vehicles.

Upon arrival at the site, the office area was immediately placed under tight security by internal prosecutorial security personnel, military police, and local security officers.