Following Samin Tan, Prepare for New Suspects in Mining Corruption Case
The Task Force for Forest Area Regulation (Satgas PKH) has revealed that there is potential for new suspects in the alleged corruption case concerning deviations in the management of mining operations by PT Asmin Koalindo Tuhup (AKT). Currently, the investigation process is still being conducted by law enforcement authorities (APH).
The potential new suspects come after the beneficial owner of PT AKT, Samin Tan, was designated as a suspect by the Republic of Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) in the case some time ago.
Spokesperson for Satgas PKH, Barita Simanjuntak, explained that the investigation process is currently proceeding in stages. He emphasised that the authorities are tracing possible involvement of other parties.
“The investigation process is still being conducted meticulously and in stages by law enforcement authorities, delving into all the evidence that has been gathered,” said Satgas PKH spokesperson Barita Simanjuntak, in a post on Instagram @satgaspkhofficial, Friday (10/4/2026).
Barita stated that the determination of additional suspects would be made if strong legal facts are found in the field. This is an effort to enforce the law to resolve the mining corruption case involving deviations in the forest area.
“If there is strong evidence, it will certainly lead to whether there are suspicions of other suspects, whether from the same corporation, company, its management, or state officials,” he added.
Mining Land Seized
Previously, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, along with the Minister of Defence (Menhan), Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, took over the mining land spanning 1,699 hectares in Murung Raya Regency, Central Kalimantan.
In addition to Defence Minister Sjafrie, Bahlil was accompanied by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, and Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni.
Bahlil emphasised that the regulation of PT Asmin Koalindo Tuhup (AKT)’s mining operations was prompted by the absence of official documents from the company.
He revealed that the company had actually been halted for a long time, so PT AKT’s mining activities could not be justified.
“Indeed, the permit status for this mining location was revoked in 2017,” said Bahlil, quoted from the official Satgas PKH Instagram account on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
According to Bahlil, the revocation of the permit nine years ago meant halting the company’s operations. All forms of mining activities that have continued in the area up to now are confirmed to be illegal.
“In other words, the mining operations conducted from 2017 until now lack legal validity,” he added.
In line with these steps, Satgas PKH has retaken control of the 1,699 hectares (ha) of land that was previously used as a mining opening area by PT AKT.
Role of Samin Tan
Citing detikcom, Samin Tan is alleged to have provided funds amounting to Rp5 billion to former Deputy Chair of Commission VII of the DPR, Eni Maulani Saragih. The payment is suspected to be an attempt to obtain assistance in resolving operational obstacles faced by one of his business units.
The issues in question relate to the Coal Mining Business Work Agreement (PKP2B) Generation 3 owned by his subsidiary, PT Asmin Koalindo Tuhup (AKT). The case focuses on negotiations over a mining contract dispute in Central Kalimantan involving the company with the Ministry of ESDM.
Designation of Suspect
Director of Investigation JAMPIDSUS, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, explained that the case was elevated to the investigation stage on 25 March. The investigative team found indications of deviations in the mining management carried out by PT AKT.
“Today, the investigative team of the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes, based on Investigation Order Number 14 dated 25 March, about two days ago, has elevated to the investigation stage the alleged criminal act of corruption involving deviations in the management of PT AKT mining in Murung Raya Regency, Central Kalimantan,” stated Director of Investigation JAMPIDSUS of the Attorney General’s Office, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, quoted from CNN Indonesia, early Saturday (28/3/2026).
The designation of a suspect by the Attorney General’s Office marks a new chapter for Samin Tan, who had previously been freed from legal demands in a different case at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). This investigation focuses more on the operational and managerial activities of his mining company in Central Kalimantan, which are suspected to have harmed the state.
“Then, today we have designated one suspect, namely ST (Samin Tan) in that case,” he continued.
Syarief explained that the suspect designation was made after the investigative team obtained sufficient evidence through a series of investigative actions, namely the examination of witnesses and searches conducted in several areas, namely Jakarta, West Java, South Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan.
“And it should be noted that searches are still ongoing, especially in Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan,” he added.