PLN EPI Claims Only an Aggregator in Coal Procurement Corruption Case

PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI) has asserted that its role was limited to that of an aggregator and coordinator in the procurement of coal supplies, amidst an investigation into alleged corruption and money laundering. “We are actually just an aggregator in the context of coordinating,” said PLN EPI President Director Anggawira after attending an event in Jakarta on Tuesday. He explained that technically, coal procurement was the result of an agreement between coal entrepreneurs and power plant operators, including PLN’s own steam-powered plants (PLTU) and Independent Power Producers (IPP). Anggawira stated that PLN EPI’s task was merely to record and coordinate, while the procurement itself took place based on business-to-business (B2B) agreements. The Corruption Eradication Corps (Kortastipidkor) of the Indonesian National Police is investigating the alleged corruption and money laundering related to the procurement of coal supplies for several PLTUs from 2018 to 2026. Brigadier General Robertus Yohanes De Deo, Director of Investigation at Kortastipidkor, revealed three modus operandi in the case: manipulation of documents regarding the quality of coal supplied, manipulation of the quantity of coal supplied, and irregularities leading to payments or contract prices that did not match the actual supply conditions. He stated that these actions are suspected to have contributed to disruptions in coal supply, resulting in blackouts in several areas including Sumatra, parts of Kalimantan, Central Java, East Java, and parts of Jabodetabek. The case is indicated to have caused state losses of approximately Rp5 trillion, though the exact figure is still being coordinated with the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK) for an official investigative audit.