Kalbar Prosecutor Examines 5 Witnesses in Bauksit Mine Corruption Case

West Kalimantan High Prosecutor's Office through the Prosecutor's Investigation Team has conducted an investigation in the case of alleged corruption in the management of the Bauksit Mine in West Kalimantan 2017-2023 by examining five witnesses from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

"The five witnesses and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources were examined at the Bundar Building, the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes. The examination took place in a marathon from 09.30 WIB to 17.30 WIB yesterday Thursday," said Head of the Legal Information Section of the Kalbar Prosecutor's Office, I Wayan Gedin Arianta, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, February 27.

He explained that the five witnesses had previously been summoned to the Kalbar Attorney General's Office, but were unable to attend so they were scheduled to return to Jakarta to provide information regarding the alleged corruption in the management of bauxite mining in the Kalbar region.

Gedin Arianta emphasized that the examination of witnesses is an important part of the ongoing investigation process.

"The examination of five witnesses from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources was carried out to strengthen the evidence related to the alleged case currently being handled by investigators. The witnesses have a direct connection to the process of licensing bauxite mines in West Kalimantan, as well as to complete the case," he said.

He added that the examination of witnesses would continue on an ongoing basis as needed for the investigation to uncover the legal events in full.

The Prosecutor's Office emphasized that it would continue to carry out the legal enforcement process in a professional, objective, and transparent manner, by upholding the principle of presumption of innocence and complying with applicable laws and regulations.

"This process is part of the efforts of the Kalbar Attorney General's Office in completing alleged corruption in the bauxite mining sector, which is considered to have a major implication for the management of natural resources in the province," he said.