KPK Ensures Mardani Maming Case Follows Procedure

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that the case against former Tanah Bumbu Regent Mardani Maming will be investigated according to applicable legal procedures. He is suspected of being involved in the alleged bribery of mining permits.

"We make sure that the investigation process is in accordance with applicable legal procedures," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri in a written statement quoted on Saturday, June 25.

The KPK has sufficient evidence to resolve this case and prove the involvement of all parties. Not only that, Ali said, the investigative team had also sent a notification letter to Mardani.

"The investigative team, according to the procedure, has conveyed to the person concerned the notification letter for the start of the investigation of the case," he said.

If Mardani objected to his current legal status, continued Ali, he could take legal action such as filing a pretrial. The KPK will prepare various evidences it has to fight.

"If the person concerned is going to file a pretrial, of course the KPK is ready to face it," said Ali.

As previously reported, Mardani H. Maming's attorney, Ahmad Irawan, said that his party had received a letter of naming the suspect from the KPK on Wednesday, June 22.

Ahmad said his team was currently conducting a study on further legal steps. Including, the possibility of filing a pretrial for the determination of the suspect by the KPK.

Moreover, since being named a suspect, Maming stated that he was a victim of the legal mafia. "It is being studied and prepared, including the pretrial effort," he told VOI, Friday, June 24.

Mardani was named a suspect after being prevented from going abroad by the Directorate General of Immigration at the request of the KPK. Before being named a suspect, the General Treasurer of the Nahdlaltul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) was also investigated.

However, after being questioned, he admitted that he was asked for information regarding his problem with the owner of PT Jhonlin Group Samsudin Andi Arsyad alias Haji Isam.

Even so, Maming's name was actually mentioned as receiving Rp89 billion in money in a trial for alleged bribery of a mining business permit (IUP) in Tanah Bumbu Regency which was held at the Tipikor Court, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (Kalsel).

This allegation was conveyed by the younger brother of former President Director of PT Prolindo Cipta Nusantara (PCN) Henry Soetio, Christian Soetio. At that time, Christian claimed to know that there was a flow of funds to the former Regent of Tanah Bumbu Mardani H Maming through PT Permata Abadi Raya (PAR) and PT Trans Surya Perkasa (TSP).

The money transfer has been going on since 2014. The amount of tens of billions of rupiah is referred to as the amount quoted based on PT PCN's financial statements.