House Commission III backs police probe into alleged PLTU coal supply corruption
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission III, Ahmad Sahroni, has expressed support for the investigation into alleged corruption in the procurement and supply of coal for several steam power plants (PLTUs) being conducted by the Police’s Corruption Eradication Corps (Kortastipidkor). The investigation relates to alleged irregularities in the procurement and fulfilment of coal supplies for a number of PLTUs during the 2018–2026 period, which are suspected of contributing to mass blackouts in Sumatra and several other regions.
In a statement in Jakarta on Thursday, Sahroni assessed that the investigation is an important step to clean up corrupt practices in the energy sector while strengthening law enforcement in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives. “I support Kortastipidkor Polri for daring to move forward and investigate the alleged corruption, where foul play is suspected,” Sahroni said. “This is in line with President Prabowo’s directives on eradicating corruption, and in this case, it is certainly the best moment to clean up law enforcement,” he added.
Sahroni also reminded all parties not to obstruct the investigation process so that law enforcement can proceed as expected. “Other parties involved should better maintain peace so that this clean-up can proceed as President Prabowo hopes,” he said. Head of the Police’s Kortastipidkor, Inspector General Totok Suharyanto, stated that the investigation status was established on Saturday (4/7) after investigators found indications of criminal activity. Investigators suspect irregularities in the procurement and supply process of coal involving PT OBP and PT BRA. Director of Enforcement at Kortastipidkor Polri, Brigadier General Robertus Yohanes De Deo, said investigators identified several alleged modes of corruption, including document manipulation, manipulation of the quantity of coal supplied to the PLTUs, and alleged irregularities that caused payments or contract values to be inconsistent with the actual supply conditions.