KPK Finds Out Potential Loss Of 337 Million US Dollars Due To LNG Procurement Through Ahok

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has examined the former President Commissioner of PT Pertamina (Persero), Basuki Tjahja Purnama alias Ahok as a witness regarding the alleged corruption in the procurement of liquid natural gas (LNG) on Thursday, January 9.

KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardhika said Ahok was asked for information regarding state losses of up to hundreds of millions of US dollars experienced by the state-owned company due to LNG procurement. This process occurred in 2020.

"The witness was investigated regarding the losses suffered by Pertamina in 2020 with a potential loss of 337 million US dollars due to LNG contracts belonging to Pertamina," Tessa told reporters in a written statement, Friday, January 10.

From Ahok too, continued Tessa, investigators studied the order of the board of commissioners to the board of directors following up on the LNG procurement contract.

"It was also investigated by the request of the board of commissioners to the board of directors to explore the six contracts of LNG Pertamina," he said.

In addition to the former Governor of DKI Jakarta, the KPK also examined the former VP Treasury of PT Pertamina, Doddy Setiawan on the same day. He was questioned about LNG sales transactions.

As previously reported, Basuki Tjahja Purnama alias Ahok admitted that he was ready to assist in investigating allegations of corruption in the procurement of liquid natural gas (LNG) at PT Pertamina (Persero). This was conveyed by the former main commissioner after undergoing an examination at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, January 9.

"In principle, we will help, yes," Ahok told reporters at the location.

Ahok underwent an examination for about 1.5 hours from 11.15 WIB and finished at 12.45 WIB. However, he did not specify the material.

This PDIP cadre only said that the alleged riot related to the LNG procurement did not occur when he was in office. Ahok admitted that he only got findings which he later reported.

Meanwhile, Ahok was appointed by SOE Minister Erick Thohir to be the main commissioner in 2019. "There was already a contract before I entered. Well, this was met in January 2020," he explained.

In this case, the KPK has named two people as suspects. They are Senior Vice President (SPV) Gas and Power Pertamina 2013-2014, Yenni Andayani and Hari Karyulianto who are Directors of Gas Pertamina 2012-2014.

Both of them were Karen's subordinates while serving as President Director (Director) of PT Pertamina (Persero). In addition, they got power from Karen to sign a sale and purchase agreement or sales purchase agreement (SPA) LNG Train 1 and Train 2 from a subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, Inc., Corpus Christie Liquefaction, LCC or CCL.

Meanwhile, Karen Agustiawan has been sentenced to nine years in prison in this case and a fine of Rp. 500 million by the Jakarta Corruption Court. He was declared legally and convincingly guilty of committing a criminal act of corruption.

This decision was later upheld by the Jakarta High Court (PT). The verdict was read out by the panel of judges chaired by Sumpeno, and consisted of judges Nelson Pasaribu and Berlin Damanik, on Friday, August 30.