KPK Investigating Allegations Of Former Head Of Yogyakarta Customs Asking For Money To Entrepreneurs

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigated five private parties on Monday, October 9 regarding alleged receipt of gratuities and money laundering crimes (TPPU) by former Head of Yogyakarta Customs and Excise Eko Darmanto. They were questioned about handing over money to facilitate the import process.

Head of the KPK News Section, Ali Fikri, said that the five private parties were summoned as witnesses. They are the owner of PT Andika Pratama Sentosa, Ong Andy Wiryanto; Owner of PR Cemerlang Jaya Abadi Sidoarjo, M. Choiril; Director of PT Djati Perkasa Global Industri, Martinus Suparman; and I Putu Subagiawan and Andrew Tanza. The inspection was carried out on Monday, October 9.

"The witnesses were present and their knowledge was explored, including regarding the alleged handover of a sum of money to the party named as a suspect in this case", Ali told reporters in his written statement, Tuesday, October 10.

Even so, there are allegations that this private party gave the money because of the suspect's request. Moreover, there is a promise that this gift aims to facilitate their business.

"The handover of the money was due to claims from the suspect that the excise process had been smoothened", he stressed.

Ali has not specified the amount of money. Likewise, Eko's legal status even though he has already been questioned as a suspect.

As previously reported, information circulated that Eko received money from a number of parties through his company account at a state-owned bank.

Sources revealed that there was money received in the account from various companies. Then, one of the deposits that came in was allegedly used to pay the down payment (DP) and installments for two luxury cars branded Mercedes Benz and BMW.

Even so, Eko has avoided the question of ownership of the escrow account. However, he admitted that he was paying for a luxury vehicle in installments.

He made this confession after he was questioned as a suspect on Friday, September 15. "(Purchases of Mercedes Benz and BMW, ed.) are still in installments until now. Yes (still in installments, ed.)", he told reporters at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.