Under the guise of a journalist, alleged extortion haunts state-owned enterprises and private companies

The extortion case is considered more appropriate to investigate the alleged corruption of the haj quota. (Photo: Special)

CIKARANG - The alleged extortion action under the guise of journalists allegedly targeted a number of state-owned enterprises (BUMN) and private companies. The method is in the form of publishing fictitious news on online media that is not registered with the Press Council, accompanied by threats and intimidation to pressure the company's management.

A number of institutions are said to have been victims, including the Financial Services Authority, PT Gudang Garam Tbk, PT Blue Bird Tbk and its subsidiaries, Bank BJB, Bank Banten, PT PLN (Persero), PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk, PT Timah Tbk, and others.

This was conveyed by the Coordinator of the Anti-Extortion Youth Movement Alliance, Teguh Azmi. The allegations made by the perpetrators were based on the narrative of the engineering of the company's financial statements.

In fact, the financial statements of SOEs and private companies have been audited by independent public accounting firms and authorized state auditors.

"The accusation is not supported by any evidence of findings, not the results of forensic audits, not the determination of supervisory authorities, let alone court decisions. This has the potential to mislead law enforcement officials and damage the company's reputation," said Teguh in an electronic message received in Jakarta, Tuesday, February 17.

Teguh continued, the modus operandi used by the perpetrator was to pretend to ask for clarification, but accompanied by threats to report to law enforcement officers. Such as the alleged perpetrator with the initials EN who claimed to be from an NGO that works in the state financial supervision sector.

Administrative search results show that this NGO is not registered as a legal entity or community organization at the Ministry of Law of the Republic of Indonesia. The identity of the organization is suspected of being used as a communication tool to pressure company directors through short messages and messaging applications.

Apart from EN, a similar modus operandi also emerged which claimed to be an EIA researcher.

Teguh said that this act fulfilled the elements of the crime of extortion and dissemination of false information as stipulated in Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code and Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions and its amendments.

"Law enforcement agencies must act decisively and immediately process them legally so that no more private companies and SOEs are victims," said Teguh.