East Java Prosecutors Probe Alleged Rp687.5m Bribe Paid to Former ESDM Chief

Surabaya (ANTARA) – The East Java High Prosecutor’s Office is investigating alleged illicit payments of Rp687.5 million to NK, a former head of the province’s Energy and Mineral Resources Agency (ESDM), based on evidence presented in the trial of a case involving alleged extortion over mining permits.

“Investigators are still examining and corroborating the trial evidence through witness interviews and the collection of relevant evidence,” IG Punia Atmaja, assistant for special crimes at the East Java High Prosecutor’s Office, said in a statement in Surabaya on Thursday.

The money is alleged to have come from two people: Rp552.5 million from the late OS, who was head of the Mining Division, and Rp135 million from suspect ED, who headed the Geology and Groundwater Division (GAT).

John Franky Yanafia Ariandi, head of the office’s investigation section, said investigators had summoned 29 witnesses for questioning in the case.

Of those, 21 had answered the summons. They included agency officials, businesspeople who had applied for mining permits, other parties, witnesses who were also suspects in an earlier case, and a criminal law expert.

“Investigators are continuing to examine the case to complete the evidence and build a comprehensive picture. Every fact and statement obtained will be carefully analysed in accordance with applicable law,” he said.

The East Java High Prosecutor’s Office said its investigation into alleged abuse of authority in the issuance of permits within the provincial ESDM Agency was continuing professionally, objectively and transparently, on the basis of legal facts and the evidence gathered.

The office previously disclosed alleged illicit fees of Rp8.44 billion in applications for permits issued by the East Java ESDM Agency.

Four agency officials have been named suspects in the case: Aris Mukiyono (AM), the agency’s head; Hermawan (H), head of the Groundwater Exploitation Working Team; Ertika Dinawati (ED), head of the Geology and Groundwater Division; and Ony Setiawan, head of the Mining Division, who died while in detention.

Investigators have so far seized assets worth Rp5.54 billion, as well as a Toyota Fortuner, a gold necklace weighing 19.650 grams, two Antam precious-metal bars with a combined weight of 50 grams, and other evidence.