KPK Examines Geisz Chalifah as Witness in Former Kukar Regent's Coal Graft Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has summoned Geisz Chalifah (GC) in connection with the alleged corruption case surrounding coal production in Kutai Kartanegara, which implicated former Regent of Kutai Kartanegara, Rita Widyasari. Geisz was summoned as a witness.
“Today, Wednesday (29/7), the KPK has scheduled the examination of a witness in the alleged criminal act of gratification per metric tonne of coal in the Kukar area,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters on Wednesday (29/7/2026).
Geisz has complied with the KPK’s summons. In addition to Geisz, the KPK also summoned a notary named Sahdat Ginting.
“The person concerned (Geisz) arrived at Merah Putih at around 10.04 to be examined by investigators,” he said.
It is understood that the KPK has named three coal companies as suspects in the alleged gratification case that ensnared former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari. The three coal companies are PT Sinar Kumala Naga, PT Alamjaya Barapratama, and PT Bara Kumala Sakti.
“In developing the investigation into the alleged corruption offence of gratification related to coal production per metric tonne in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, with the previous suspect RW, the KPK has named three new corporate suspects: PT SKN, PT ABP, and PT BKS,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters on Thursday (19/2).
Budi explained that the three companies are suspected of receiving gratuities together with Rita.
“The three corporations are suspected of jointly committing, together with RW, the receipt of the gratuities in question,” he added.
Rita was initially named a suspect in a bribery and gratification case in 2017. She was subsequently tried for the gratification charges.
In 2018, Rita was sentenced to ten years in prison by the panel of judges at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court. Rita was also fined Rp 600 million, subsidised by six months’ imprisonment, and stripped of her political rights for five years.
The judges found that Rita had been proven to have received Rp 110 billion in gratuities related to project permits in Kutai Kartanegara. Rita attempted to challenge the verdict.
Her efforts failed after the Supreme Court rejected her case review (PK) in 2021. Rita was transferred to Pondok Bambu Prison and has since been released.
In addition to the gratification case, Rita remains a suspect in an alleged money laundering case. In July 2024, the KPK revealed that Rita had also received money from mining businesspeople.