Pemuda Pancasila Chairman Japto Questioned by KPK Over Ex-Kukar Regent Case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned Pemuda Pancasila Chairman Japto Soerjosoemarno as a witness in a case of alleged gratuities per metric tonne of coal in the Kutai Kartanegara region, Kalimantan, on Tuesday. He arrived at the KPK’s Merah Putih building around 9.40 a.m. Western Indonesia Time, and investigators are currently examining the witness, according to KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo. Budi stated that during the examination, investigators will delve into and trace assets related to the receipt of gratuities by the suspect in this case, including alleged elements of money laundering. Japto was previously questioned by the KPK last year as a witness for suspect Rita in the same case. That examination stemmed from investigators’ suspicions about money related to the criminal act flowing to PP elites. A number of pieces of evidence, including tens of billions of rupiah, dozens of luxury cars, and documents, were seized by investigators when searching the residences of the three witnesses. Some time ago, the KPK also named three coal companies in Kutai Kartanegara as suspects in the alleged corruption case. The case is still linked to Rita Widyasari, who served as Regent of Kutai Kartanegara from 2010 to 2015 and 2016 to 2021. The three companies named as suspects based on an Investigation Order issued last 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 and are suspected of being used as instruments to receive gratuities by Rita. Rita is being processed again by the KPK for allegedly receiving gratuities related to coal mining, amounting to approximately US$3.3 to US$5 per metric tonne of coal. She is also suspected of disguising the receipt of these gratuities, leading the KPK to apply articles on money laundering. Rita previously served time at the Pondok Bambu Women’s Prison after being sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Jakarta Corruption Court on 6 July 2018. She was found guilty of receiving gratuities totalling Rp110.7 billion and Rp6 billion in bribes from permit applicants and project partners.