KPK Examines Coal Director at Energy Ministry, Revisiting Rita Widyasari Mining Gratification Case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has resumed its investigation into an alleged gratification case connected to coal production in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan. In the latest development, the anti-corruption agency examined Asep Permana, Director of Coal Business Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), as a witness.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the examination took place at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Monday, 15 June 2026. The questioning is part of investigators’ efforts to deepen the alleged gratification case that has been ongoing for several years.

“The examination was conducted at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta, for SEP in his capacity as Director of Coal Business Development at the Ministry of ESDM,” Budi Prasetyo told reporters. According to KPK records, Asep Permana complied with the investigators’ summons and arrived at the KPK Merah Putih Building at 09:29 WIB.

The case, which has once again drawn public attention, involves alleged receipt of gratuities from the coal mining sector in Kutai Kartanegara Regency. This investigation is an extension of a previous case that ensnared former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari.

The KPK continues to trace various parties believed to have knowledge of the flow of funds and mechanisms related to coal production activities in the area. The examination of several witnesses is being carried out to complete the body of evidence and clarify the construction of the case being handled.

To date, the KPK has not disclosed the detailed substance of the examination of Asep Permana. However, the presence of the official responsible for coal business development within the Ministry of ESDM forms part of the ongoing series of investigations.

The case originated when the KPK named Rita Widyasari a suspect for gratification on 28 September 2017. In that case, Rita was named a suspect alongside Hery Susanto Gun, President Director of PT Sawit Golden Prima, and Khairudin, Commissioner of PT Media Bangun Bersama. At the time, Rita was suspected of receiving a bribe of Rp6 billion related to the granting of a palm oil plantation location permit to PT Sawit Golden Prima for land in Kupang Baru Village, Muara Kaman District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency.