KPK Reveals Offshore Countries Often Utilized By Money Laundering Perpetrators

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Nurul Ghufron revealed that offshore countries are often used by perpetrators of corruption to launder money. The regulations are considered loose so as to open up gaps for them to hide the proceeds of their crimes.

This was conveyed by Ghufron in a workshop entitled 'Money Laundering through Banking and Company Services in Offshore Countries'. This activity was held in collaboration with the OPDAT (Overseas Prosecutorial Assistance and Training) from the United States at the ACLC KPK building, Rasuna Said.

"Offshore countries offer loose regulations and asset protection that are often used to hide the proceeds of crime," Ghufron said in his remarks, Monday, September 2.

Not only that, regulations that tend to be less transparent also make it easier for criminals to move their assets abroad. Therefore, law enforcement officers need to understand and learn to overcome this risk.

Moreover, the KPK is determined to increase the handling of money laundering cases to restore state assets. Ghufron said his institution is targeting individual and persero actors.

Currently, there are 58 money laundering cases that have been handled by the KPK since 2004-2023. Of these, 8 of them were investigated in 2023.

"KPK is determined to prioritize asset recovery from perpetrators of corruption, both individuals and corporations," he said.

In the future, Ghufron hopes that this workshop can strengthen international collaboration in efforts to eradicate cross-border corruption. He also wants his subordinates to be more reliable in handling money laundering cases.

Meanwhile, Tomikamen, Permanent Legal Advisor from the US Department of Justice (USDOJ) OPDAT welcomed this collaboration. He also encouraged the KPK to expand global collaboration through Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) to effectively eradicate cross-border corruption because cooperation is needed.

For information, this workshop is the second after the success of the first session held in Bandung in early 2024. There are 30 participants from various KPK directorates present at this event and will be continued with a workshop on cryptocurrencies next week in Bogor.

The event was also attended by the Director of Socialization and Campaign of the KPK Amir Arief, Director of Anti-Corruption Education and Training of the KPK Yonatan Tangdilintin, as well as representatives from the FBI and USDOJ.