Mystery of the Coal Queen: Japto is Investigated by the KPK, Where is the Case of Tan Pauline?

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that there is a flow of money received by the Chairman of the Pancasila Youth (PP) Japto Soerjosoemarno from the suspect of the corporate case of gratification of metric tons of coal mines involving the former Regent of Kutai Kartanegara Rita Widyasari.

The Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, allegedly made Japto be examined on Tuesday, March 10. He said that the receipt was allegedly made every month for the security services of coal mines managed by companies affiliated with Rita.

"Regarding the examination of brother J, how much or what money is received every month, so the information we received is indeed given every month," Asep told reporters at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Wednesday, March 11.

The number was not further detailed by Asep. But, he suspected that the money received was related to a community organization (ormas) led by Japto.

The origin of the money to pay for security services was from the receipt of gratification for metric tons of coal. This finding comes from the investigation of the flow of money conducted by investigators.

"So the organization has its structure," said Asep, who also served as the KPK's Director of Investigation.

Where is the case of Tan Pauline?

However, in the midst of the intensity of the investigation of a number of parties, one name that was previously mentioned in the flow of funds has again raised questions: coal entrepreneur Tan Paulin.

The woman, known in the mining industry as the "Queen of Coal", was once questioned by investigators. Her house in Surabaya was searched in August 2024 and a number of business documents and electronic devices were seized. However, more than 18 months since the move, her legal status has not shown any significant progress.

This situation raises questions in the public space about why the investigation process against Tan Paulin seems to have stopped in the middle of the road.

Fauzan Luthsa, a governance observer and head of JACOBIN (Network of Action and Policy Control), assessed that the condition was reasonable to raise public attention.

"In corruption cases, especially those that have reached the stage of searching and confiscating documents, the public certainly hopes for clear developments. If it takes too long without further information, it is natural that questions about the direction of the investigation will arise," said Fauzan.

Tan Paulin's name surfaced in the development of the gratification case that ensnared the former Regent of Kukar, Rita Widyasari. In the case, Rita was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being proven to have received gratification of around Rp. 110 billion related to coal mining permits.

According to Fauzan, this statement shows that the investigation of the flow of funds has entered an important stage.

"If the investigators have mentioned the flow of funds to certain parties, logically the investigation of the parties is also part of the investigation process. The principle in the TPPU case is indeed following the flow of money," he said.

Fauzan added that this condition has the potential to create a perception of inconsistency in law enforcement if it is not accompanied by adequate explanation.

"The difference in the intensity of the investigation of a number of parties will certainly be compared by the public. Therefore, transparency is important so that there is no impression that the legal process is inconsistent," he said.

He assessed that an open explanation from the KPK was necessary to maintain public confidence in the anti-corruption process.

"If after the investigation no criminal elements are found, say it clearly. But if the investigation is still ongoing, the public also has the right to know how far it has progressed," said Fauzan.

Consistency in law enforcement in cases involving business and political networks in the natural resources sector is an important test for anti-corruption institutions.

"If the flow of funds has been mapped and the names of the recipients have been mentioned in the investigation, the public will certainly wait to see whether the legal process will trace all parties involved or stop at only a few," he concluded.

In the development of the case, the KPK also named three mining companies as corporate suspects, namely PT Sinar Kumala Naga, PT Alamjaya Bara Pratama, and PT Bara Kumala Sakti. In the midst of the increasingly extensive development of the investigation, Tan Paulin's position actually seemed stagnant for 18 months.