Prosecutors Seize Hundreds of Billions in Cash from Nickel Case in Southeast Sulawesi
Cash amounting to Rp 401 billion has been seized by the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) in connection with a corruption case involving nickel commodity governance at PT CNI. The corruption is alleged to have taken place between 2017 and 2020.
The seized money was displayed during a press conference at the Jampidsus Building, Kejagung, South Jakarta, on Monday (31/8). The cash was stacked in rising piles, with twelve stacks at the back.
A screen displayed the total amount of money, which reached Rp 401,653,737,496.69. The cash was spread out in front of the table.
The Attorney General’s Office revealed that the alleged corruption related to nickel exports occurred in Southeast Sulawesi. State losses are estimated at Rp 401 billion.
Director of Investigation at Jampidsus Saiful Bahri Siregar said the case is suspected to have occurred between 2017 and 2020. The mining company suspected of involvement is PT CNI, which holds an Operation Production Mining Business Permit (IUP) and is alleged to have obtained an export recommendation without yet having an approved annual work plan and budget (RKAB).
“There are state financial losses, according to the State Loss Calculation Report from the BPK, amounting to Rp 401,653,737,469.69,” Saiful said during the press conference.
He explained that PT CNI is suspected of arranging or manipulating nickel grade documents. This was allegedly done so that goods from PT CNI could be exported.
“PT CNI, together with state officials, allegedly made arrangements in such a way that the nickel grade test results showed a value of less than 1.7% to meet export requirements, which should have been above 1.7%,” he said.
PT CNI is suspected of using invalid documents. This allegedly caused state financial losses.
“PT CNI, using invalid documents, carried out illegal nickel exports, resulting in state financial losses,” he explained.
Saiful said investigators have examined hundreds of witnesses in this case, as well as a number of experts, and seized documents.
“(Prosecutors have) examined 116 witnesses, examined three experts, seized 143 documents, and obtained court approval for the seizure,” he said.
Saiful said prosecutors have conducted searches in several locations, including Southeast Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, and Jakarta. Prosecutors have also obtained a State Loss Calculation Report from the BPKP and carried out other investigative actions.
The seized money has been deposited into another government account (RPL) at Bank Mandiri.
“Simply put, the money before us is a handover from PT CNI related to illegal nickel production operations, based on the BPKP loss calculation, and it has now been deposited at Bank Mandiri in another government account,” he added.