New Preliminary Evidence, Eko Darmanto's Money Laundering Value Has Reached IDR 20 Billion

JAKARTA - The object value of the money laundering crime (TPPU) of the former Head of the Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office of Customs B Yogyakarta, Eko Darmanto (ED), is suspected to have reached Rp20 billion.

The investigating team of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to develop and track economic-valued assets that are suspected to have been disguised.

"We want to convey it as preliminary evidence for the crime of money laundering, there is approximately Rp. 20 billion. That is only preliminary evidence to enter," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri at the KPK's Red and White Building, quoted from ANTARA, Saturday, April 20.

The KPK also invites the public not to hesitate to report to anti-corruption agencies if they know of assets belonging to Eko Darmanto.

"Here, community participation is needed. If you know there are assets related to this suspect, please be able to report to the KPK," he said.

The KPK on April 18, 2024 announced the appointment of the former Head of the Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office of Customs B Yogyakarta, Eko Darmanto, as a suspect in the alleged money laundering crime (TPPU) case.

"KPK has again named the person concerned on suspicion of money laundering offenses," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri when confirmed in Jakarta, Thursday, April 18.

Ali explained that the KPK investigating team had pocketed sufficient evidence to determine the money laundering offense suspect against Eko Darmanto.

"On the basis of further analysis, new facts were found, allegedly hiding and disguising the origin of ownership of the property," he said.

The KPK spokesman with the background of the prosecutor said that the KPK investigating team is currently still tracking and confiscating assets of economic value belonging to Eko Darmanto, who is suspected to have come from corruption.

The KPK also said that it would immediately try the former Head of the Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office of the Customs Type B Yogyakarta, Eko Darmanto, in a case of alleged corruption in receiving gratuities.

The detention of Eko Darmanto has also been extended for the next 20 days until April 24, 2024 at the KPK branch detention center, for trial preparation.

Ali explained that the KPK prosecutor team assessed that all elements of the alleged receipt of the ED suspect's gratification were complete and that currently the case file has entered the prosecution stage, namely the receipt of suspects and evidence by the public prosecutor (JPU).

"The receipt of gratuities from the suspect ED as an official at the Director General of Customs and Excise at the Indonesian Ministry of Finance is estimated at IDR 10 billion," he said.

KPK investigators on Friday, December 8, 2023, officially detained former Head of the Yogyakarta Customs Office Eko Darmanto after he was named a suspect in the case of alleged receipt of gratuities and money laundering (TPPU).

Eko Darmanto (ED) is suspected of having received a gratuity of Rp. 10 billion by utilizing his position at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise at the Ministry of Finance.

KPK Investigation Director Asep Guntur Rahayu explained that ED was a civil servant investigator (PPNS) at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia who had held a number of positions during the 2007-2023 period.

Several strategic ED positions include the Head of Enforcement, Supervision, Customs and Excise Service of the East Java Customs and Excise Office I Surabaya and the Head of the Risk Management Sub-Directorate of the Customs and Excise Information Directorate of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.

ED then took advantage of its position and authority to receive gratuities from import entrepreneurs or customs service management entrepreneurs (PPJK) to excisable goods entrepreneurs.

According to KPK investigators, ED began receiving gratuities in 2009 through bank transfers of nuclear family and various companies affiliated with ED. This gratuity acceptance lasts until 2023.

For companies affiliated with ED, among them are in the field of buying and selling Harley Davidson motorcycles and antique cars as well as those engaged in construction and procuring toll road support facilities.

Various receipts of these gratuities were never reported by ED to the KPK after receiving gratuities within 30 working days.

For his actions, ED is suspected of violating Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the eradication of criminal acts of corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code.