Head of Pemuda Pancasila Japto Speaks Out After 4.5-Hour KPK Interrogation
Japto Soerjosoemarno, Chairman of Pemuda Pancasila, has completed his questioning at the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) as a witness in an alleged corruption case involving three coal companies in Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan.
Japto was interrogated by the KPK for approximately 4.5 hours. To the media, he declined to provide details about the questions posed by investigators.
“Ask the investigators, why are you asking me?” Japto said to journalists after being questioned at the KPK’s Red and White Building, Tuesday (10 March).
Japto merely stated that he came to fulfil his legal responsibility.
“I came to fulfil my legal responsibility,” he said.
KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said they required testimony from Japto regarding several coal companies in Kutai Kartanegara Regency.
“Naturally, we will later update the material of the investigation regarding the witness in question, as investigators need to understand the witness’s explanation and testimony, as well as the processes or projects in coal production in the Kutai Kartanegara region,” Budi said at his office in Jakarta, Tuesday (10 March).
In this case, the KPK has recently 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 (Sprindik) issued in February are PT Sinar Kumala Naga, PT Alamjaya Barapratama, and PT Bara Kumala Sakti. All three are coal-producing companies located in Kutai Kartanegara Regency.
“These three companies are suspected of being used as instruments for RW [Rita Widyasari] to receive gratification from companies that produce or sell coal,” Budi explained previously.
Meanwhile, Rita Widyasari is being further prosecuted by the KPK on suspicion of receiving gratification related to coal mining, amounting to approximately US$3.3 to US$5 per metric tonne of coal. Rita is also suspected of disguising the receipt of such gratification, prompting the KPK to apply charges under the Money Laundering Act (TPPU).
Currently, Rita is imprisoned 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 found guilty of receiving gratification of Rp110.7 billion and bribes of Rp6 billion from permit applicants and project contractors.
Additionally, Rita was mentioned in the case that ensnared former KPK investigator ACP Stepanus Robin Pattuju. In that matter, Rita remains a witness.
As for Japto, Pemuda Pancasila East Kalimantan Chairman Said Amin, and Pemuda Pancasila Deputy Chairman Ahmad Ali were questioned by the KPK last year as witnesses regarding Rita. That questioning stemmed from investigators’ suspicion concerning money related to criminal offences flowing to Pemuda Pancasila elites.
Various evidence including tens of billions in cash, dozens of luxury vehicles, and documents were seized during investigators’ raids on the residences of the three witnesses.