Khofifah's Reaction to the Search of the ESDM Office by the East Java Attorney General's Office

Governor of East Java (Jatim), Khofifah Indar Parawansa, responded to the search carried out by the East Java High Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati Jatim) at the Office of the Energy and Mineral Resources Department (Dinas ESDM) of Jatim by stating that she respects the legal process. Khofifah emphasised that she fully respects the search conducted by Kejati Jatim. She is leaving the case entirely to the law enforcement authorities. “Yes, we all know about the [ESDM search], of course we are handing everything over to the law enforcement apparatus (APH). Because this is an ongoing process, we respect the process that is underway,” said Khofifah when met after the inauguration of the Hajj Pilgrim Boarding Pass Issuance Team (PPIH) at the Surabaya Embarkation Hajj Dormitory, Friday (17/4). Previously, the Special Criminal Investigation Team (Pidsus) of Kejati Jatim searched the Dinas ESDM Office on Jalan Tidar, Surabaya, on Thursday (16/4). The search lasted nearly seven hours, from 12:00 WIB to 18:45 WIB, and was conducted to seek additional evidence related to extortion practices at the agency. Based on observations at the location during the search, the Kejati Jatim officers’ activity was conducted in a closed manner with tight security by personnel. Media crews were prohibited from approaching the building area during the process. After the search, investigators were seen leaving with at least four container boxes believed to contain crucial documents and electronic evidence. The Head of the Legal Information Section of Kejati Jatim, Adnan Sulistiyono, confirmed that this search is part of the investigation into the alleged corruption case of illegal levies (pungli) in the permit issuance process. Suspects Related to the search, Kejati Jatim finally designated three officials from the East Java Provincial Dinas ESDM as suspects in the alleged illegal levy (pungli) permit case. In this operation, investigators seized cash and bank account balances totalling Rp2.3 billion. The three suspects are the Head of Dinas ESDM Jatim, Aris Mukiyono, the Head of the Mining Division, Ony Setiawan, and the Chair of the Groundwater Business Working Team with initials H. All three were immediately detained for investigation purposes. The Special Criminal Assistant (Aspidsus) of Kejati Jatim, Wagiyo, said that the designation of suspects is the result of a marathon investigation conducted quietly by the Kejati Jatim team. Wagiyo revealed the modus operandi and cunning tactics used by the suspects. He stated that the permit system should be carried out online through the Online Single Submission (OSS). However, the suspects at Dinas ESDM Jatim are alleged to have deliberately delayed the administrative process to elicit payments from applicants. “The modus operandi involves delaying the permit process. So if the person doesn’t ask for help or give money, the permit doesn’t come out. Even if the requirements are met. Imagine that. And there are many reports of this,” said Wagiyo at the Kejati Jatim Office, Surabaya, on Friday afternoon. Extortion Rates by the Suspects Wagiyo then detailed the extortion rates set by the suspects. For the endorsement of mining permit extensions, applicants were asked to provide money between Rp50 million and Rp100 million. Meanwhile, for new mining permit applications, the amount jumps to Rp200 million. For groundwater business permit applications (SIPA), the levy varies between Rp5 million and Rp20 million per document, but the total accumulation per permit can reach Rp80 million. “They are asked for between Rp50 million and Rp200 million. Yes, that’s it. Then for groundwater, it’s almost the same but the amount is smaller. For the groundwater business permit or SIPA application, the levy varies from Rp5 million to Rp20 million. The total for each SIPA permit can be estimated at Rp50 million up to Rp80 million,” he said. “The proceeds from these levies, which are not stipulated, are divided by the working team leader to the department head. Whereas the service should not be charged or is free except for taxes and other fees that enter the list of Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP),” he added. Evidence from the Search Based on the results of searches at the office and homes of the suspects, the Pidsus team of Kejati Jatim secured assets in the form of cash and balances in various ATMs. From suspect Aris Mukiyono, the Head of Dinas ESDM, investigators seized a total of Rp494 million. “We secured evidence of money from suspect Aris Mukiyono: cash Rp259,100,000, BCA account Rp109,039,809.49, Mandiri account Rp126,864,331, so the total reaches Rp494,414,140.49,” he stated. Meanwhile, from suspect Ony Setiawan, officers secured cash of Rp1,644,550,000. Then from suspect H, a BCA account of Rp229,685,625 was obtained, with the overall total of secured money evidence reaching Rp2,369,239,765.49. Kejati Jatim is charging the suspects under Article 12 letter e or Article 12 letter b of the Corruption Eradication Law, as well as Article 606 of the new Criminal Code regarding extortion and gratification. Wagiyo emphasised that it is not ruling out the possibility of new suspects in the development of this case, including deepening the potential for Money Laundering Criminal Acts (TPPU). Kejati Jatim has also coordinated with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) to trace where and to whom the illicit funds flowed.