KPK Reveals Reasons for Questioning Pemuda Pancasila Chairman Japto
The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) stated it required testimony from Japto Soerjosoemarno, Chairman of Pemuda Pancasila (PP), regarding several coal companies in Kutai Kartanegara district. Japto responded to the KPK investigator’s summons for questioning on Tuesday.
“We will certainly provide updates on the examination materials regarding the witness in question, as the investigators naturally need to understand the witness’s explanations and testimony, as well as the processes or coal production projects in the Kutai Kartanegara region,” stated KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo at the agency’s office in Jakarta on Tuesday (10 March).
The KPK recently designated three coal companies in Kutai Kartanegara as suspects in an alleged corruption case. The case remains connected to former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari.
The three companies designated as suspects by the KPK, based on an Investigation Warrant (Sprindik) 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 district, allegedly serving as vehicles for Rita to receive gratification. Budi could not yet conclude whether Japto received funds or not.
“This is something we are continuing to investigate. This includes the connection to the seizure of vehicles in the possession of JP, which will certainly be confirmed later,” Budi explained.
Meanwhile, Rita Widyasari is being prosecuted by the KPK for allegedly 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 concealing the receipt of gratification, prompting the KPK to apply the Money Laundering Crime (TPPU) provision.
Currently, Rita is detained at Pondok Bambu Women’s Prison after being sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor) on 6 July 2018. She was found guilty of receiving gratification totalling Rp110.7 billion and bribes of Rp6 billion from permit applicants and project contractors.
Furthermore, Rita has been mentioned in the case ensnaring former KPK investigator AKP Stepanus Robin Pattuju. In that matter, Rita remains a witness.
Japto, East Kalimantan PP Chairman Said Amin, and PP Vice Chairman Ahmad Ali were previously examined by the KPK as witnesses for Rita’s case. The examination stemmed from investigators’ suspicion regarding money from criminal activity flowing to PP leadership.
Several pieces of evidence, including tens of billions of rupiah, dozens of luxury vehicles, and documents, were seized during the investigators’ search of the residences of these three witnesses.