Japto Soerjosoemarno Was Questioned By The KPK Regarding The Acceptance Of Metric Tons Of Coal Mining Money In The Rita Widyasari Case

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that the Chairman of the Pancasila Youth, Japto Soerjosoemarno, has been splashed with metric tons of coal mining. This allegation was investigated by examining him as a witness to the alleged gratification that ensnared the former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari on Wednesday, February 26.

"Japto is being investigated regarding the receipt of metric tons," said KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardhika to reporters, Thursday, February 27.

Meanwhile, Japto after being questioned from 10.00 WIB to 16.45 WIB did not talk much about the material investigated by investigators. The same goes for his introduction to Rita.

"(About the introduction, ed) asked Rita. Don't ask me," Japto told reporters at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

Previously reported, the KPK confiscated 11 cars from a search at the house of the General Chairperson of Pemuda Pancasila (PP) Japto Soerjosoemarno (JS) located in South Jakarta, on Tuesday night, February 4.

The types of confiscated cars included Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, Landrover Defender, Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes Benz, Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Coldis, and Suzuki. Apart from vehicles, investigators also confiscated rupiah and foreign currency worth Rp56 billion, documents and electronic evidence.

Then investigators also searched the house of NasDem Party politician Ahmad Ali and confiscated money in rupiah and foreign currency worth Rp3.49 billion; documents; electronic evidence and also branded bags and watches.

All of these forced attempts were related to the investigation of allegations of corruption related to coal exports that ensnared Rita Widyasari as the former Regent of Kutai Kartanegara. In fact, non-tax state revenues (PNBP) continue to be investigated.

It is suspected that Rita received ton metric money in every coal mining exploration process. This investigation was carried out by the KPK as an entry point to investigate allegations of money laundering (TPPU).

As for the money laundering case, Rita has been named a suspect along with Commissioner of PT Media Bangun Bersama, Khairudin on January 16, 2018. They are suspected of washing money from the results of project and licensing gratuities at the Kutai Kartanegara Provincial Government worth Rp436 billion.

Rita is currently a resident of Pondok Bambu Women's Prison, East Jakarta because she was proven to have received gratuities of Rp. 110.7 billion and bribes of up to Rp. 6 billion from permit applicants and project partners. He had to serve a sentence of 10 years in prison which was handed down by the Jakarta Corruption Court on July 6, 2018.