LNG Corruption Case: Former Pertamina Director Faces 6.5-Year Prison Sentence

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) demanded a prison sentence of six years and six months for Hari Karyuliarto, Director of Gas at PT Pertamina (Persero) from 2012 to 2014, in the case of alleged corruption in the procurement of liquefied natural gas (LNG). “We demand that the panel of judges declare the defendants proven guilty legally and convincingly of committing the criminal act of corruption, as charged in the first indictment,” stated prosecutor Yoga Pratomo during the prosecution reading session at the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday. In the same hearing, Yenni Andayani, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Business Development at Pertamina’s Gas Directorate from 2012 to 2013, was also demanded a prison sentence of five years and six months. In addition to imprisonment, Hari and Yenni were demanded to be imposed with fines of Rp200 million each, with the provision that if not paid, it would be replaced (subsidiary) with imprisonment for 80 days. For their actions, both defendants are believed to have violated Article 603 in conjunction with Article 20 letter c jo. Article 126 paragraph (1) of the National Criminal Code (KUHP). Meanwhile, both defendants, who have never been convicted and behaved politely in court, were considered by the prosecutor as mitigating circumstances. In the alleged corruption case of LNG procurement from Corpus Christi Liquefaction LLC (CCL) at Pertamina and related institutions from 2011 to 2021, both defendants are suspected of causing state financial losses amounting to US$113.84 million or equivalent to Rp1.77 trillion. The state losses are suspected to have occurred due to unlawful acts that enriched Pertamina’s President Director from 2009 to 2014, Galaila Karen Kardinah alias Karen Agustiawan, by Rp1.09 billion and US$104,016, as well as enriching CCL by US$113.84 million. The unlawful acts committed by both defendants, namely Hari is suspected of not preparing guidelines for the LNG procurement process from international sources and still proceeding with the LNG procurement from Cheniere Energy Inc. Thus, the actions of both defendants are regulated and punishable under Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law No. 20 of 2001 jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) first jo. Article 64 paragraph (1) of the KUHP.