Gratification Of Coal Rita Widyasari: KPK Summons The Boss From India, Its Existence Is Not Yet Known

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo (DOK Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has scheduled an examination of a foreign national (WNA) from India, Sankalp Jaithalia, as a witness in the alleged gratification case related to a coal mine that ensnared the former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari.

Sankalp is known to have served as Director of Finance Archean International as well as Chairman of the Indonesia Chapter of ICAI. The examination is scheduled to take place at the KPK's Red and White Building, Jakarta, on Thursday, October 9.

"The examination was carried out at the KPK's Red and White Building," said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo in a written statement to reporters.

However, until now investigators are still looking for the whereabouts of Sankalp. According to Budi, the information concerned is needed to clarify the alleged corruption being developed by KPK investigators.

"Until now, investigators are also still looking for the whereabouts of the person concerned, including his team of lawyers," he said.

Budi emphasized that Sankalp's involvement in this legal process is very important to reveal the case of alleged metric ton of coal gratification in the Kutai Kartanegara area.

"This means that the existence and presence of the person concerned is needed by the investigator," he said.

Budi also reminded Sankalp to be cooperative. "We hope that the witness in question can cooperate and fulfill the investigator's summons," he said.

Previously, the KPK continued to investigate allegations of corruption related to coal exports that dragged Rita Widyasari's name. The anti-corruption agency suspects that Rita received money per metric ton from coal exploration activities allegedly received by Rita.

This investigation is also an entry point for the KPK to investigate allegations of money laundering (TPPU). In this case, Rita has been named a suspect along with Khairudin, Commissioner of PT Media Bangun Bersama, since January 16, 2018.

Both are suspected of washing the proceeds from project gratuities and permits in Kutai Kartanegara Regency with a total value of IDR 436 billion.

Rita is currently serving a sentence at the Pondok Bambu Women's Correctional Institution, East Jakarta, after being found guilty of receiving gratuities worth Rp. 110.7 billion and bribes of Rp. 6 billion. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Jakarta Corruption Court on July 6, 2018.