KPK Opens Option to Summon Pemuda Pancasila Chairman Japto Soerjosoemarno over Coal Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has opened the possibility of re-examining Pemuda Pancasila (PP) Chairman Japto Soerjosoemarno, PP Deputy Chairman Ahmad Ali, and PP East Kalimantan Chairman Said Amin as witnesses after designating three coal companies in Kutai Kartanegara as suspects in a corruption case.
The case remains connected to former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari.
“The KPK is certainly open to the possibility of summoning witnesses who can explain and provide information regarding the alleged practice of receiving gratification through these three corporations and the flow of funds,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo when asked about the potential summoning of Japto and others via written message on Thursday (19 February).
The three companies designated as suspects by the KPK, based on investigation warrants 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 having been used as instruments for receiving gratification by RW [Rita Widyasari] from companies that produce or sell coal,” Budi explained.
Rita Widyasari is being re-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 having disguised the receipt of these gratification payments, leading the KPK to apply money laundering charges.
Rita is currently serving her sentence at Pondok Bambu Women’s Prison after being sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by the Jakarta Corruption Court on 6 July 2018. She was found guilty of receiving Rp110.7 billion in gratification and Rp6 billion in bribes from permit applicants and project partners.
Furthermore, Rita has also been mentioned in a case involving former KPK investigator Police Commissioner Adjutant Stepanus Robin Pattuju. In that case, Rita remains a witness.
Said Amin, Japto, and Ahmad Ali were examined by the KPK as witnesses for the Rita suspect case last year. The examination stemmed from investigators’ suspicions regarding criminal proceeds flowing to senior PP figures.
A substantial amount of evidence, including tens of billions of rupiah in cash, dozens of luxury vehicles, and documents, was seized by investigators during searches of the three witnesses’ residences.