Investigation of Alleged Gratification of Coal Mining Tonnes Rita Widyasari, KPK Calls Bahlil's Children

DOK BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) summoned the Director of Coal Mining Development of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources' Directorate General of Mining Asep Permana today.

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia's subordinate was questioned as a witness to the alleged gratification of metric tons of coal mines that ensnared the former Regent of Kutai Kartanegara Rita Widyasari.

"The examination was carried out at the KPK's Merah Putih building on behalf of AP," said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters through his written statement, Monday, June 15.

Budi has not detailed the materials of the examination of Asep. But, he is said to have been present in front of investigators since 09.29 WIB.

As previously reported, the KPK continues to investigate corruption allegations 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 scrutinized.

It is suspected that there was a receipt of metric tons of money made by Rita in each coal mine exploration process. This investigation was carried out by the KPK as a gateway to investigate alleged money laundering (TPPU).

The KPK then named three corporate suspects in this case. These companies are PT Sinar Kumala Naga, PT Alamjaya Barapratama, and PT Bara Kumala Sakti which are coal companies.

The determination of the corporate suspect was based on an investigation order (sprindik) issued in February. The three companies are suspected of being tools for Rita Widyasari to receive corruption results.

Rita is currently a resident of the Pondok Bambu Women's Prison, East Jakarta, for being proven to have received gratification of Rp. 110.7 billion and bribes of up to Rp. 6 billion from applicants for permits and project partners. He must serve a 10-year prison sentence imposed by the Jakarta Corruption Court on July 6, 2018.

However, Rita is currently out of the Pondok Bambu Women's Prison, East Jakarta on August 17, 2025.