After Being Reported To The KPK, Purwakarta Customs Chief Rahmady Effendy Was Released

Lawyer for the Law Office of Eternity Global Lawfirm Andreas. (Photo: Aris Nurjani/VOI)

The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) of the Ministry of Finance has released the Head of Customs and Excise for Purwakarta, Rahmady Effendi after being investigated internally.

This examination follows up on a report from the Lawyer for the Legal Office of the Eternity Global Lawfirm, Andreas to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which accused the Head of Purwakarta Customs Rahmady Effendy of having unreasonable assets of up to Rp60 billion, and not including all of his assets in the LHKPN.

Director of Communication and Guidance for Customs and Excise Service Users, Nirwala Dwi Heryanto said Rahmady had been relieved of his position as Head of Purwakarta Customs since May 9, 2024, to facilitate further investigations.

"On the basis of the results of the internal examination, the person concerned has been relieved of his duties since May 9 to facilitate the process of further examination in accordance with applicable regulations," he said in his statement, Monday, May 13.

Nirwala said that Customs and Excise had conducted an internal examination of the official concerned and the results of the examination found indications of a conflict of interest which also involved the family concerned.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for the Law Office of Eternity Global Lawfirm, Andreas, visited the office of Finance Minister Sri Mulyani to continue her complaint against one of the Customs and Excise officials who allegedly did not report all assets in the LHKPN to the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Finance.

According to Andreas, the report is a complement to the report that was submitted to the KPK on April 22, 2024, regarding the unreasonableness of LHKPN Rahmady.

"We followed up our letter that we sent to the Minister of Finance, then today we re-input the letter to the Inspector General of the Ministry of Finance for cases that we reported both at the Kpk and finally at the office of the relevant agencies. So to ask for an update on this matter," he explained at the Ministry of Finance, Monday, May 13.

Andreas said this problem began when Rahmady gave a loan of IDR 7 billion to conduct a fertilizer import export business with Wijanto Tirtasana in 2017 on condition that Rahmady's wife be the main commissioner and shareholders 40 percent.

However, Rahmady did not include his assets and the money loan to LHKPN.

Whereas in 2017, according to Andreas, LHPKN Rahmady was unnatural because it was last reported on December 31, 2022.

Only reported Rp6.39 billion, up slightly compared to the previous year's Rp5.65 billion.

"So what we question is whether the Rp7 billion is registered with the LHKPN," he said.

In addition, Andreas also appreciated the steps taken by the Ministry of Finance to facilitate further examination.

"We appreciate the performance of the financial ministry, but in addition, I think the right moment for Mrs. Sri Mulyani as the minister of finance to clean up her ranks because in the last 1 to 2 years many staff have been involved in problems," he explained.

Previously, the Head of the Purwakarta Customs Office, West Java, Rahmady Effendi Hutahaean, had opened his voice regarding him being reported to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) because he had assets of Rp. 60 billion.

"I was accused of intimidation, threatening and even extorting. Even though what happened was the opposite. I was made up with threats, among others, to be reported to the KPK, the Ministry of Finance, the Police, and others, then an opinion was built through the media which had nothing to do with my position as a state administrator," Rahmady said in his statement, Tuesday, May 7.

According to Rahmady, the report against him to the KPK and Polda Metro carried out by Wijanto Tirtasana through his attorney was just a trick to run away from responsibility.

"The trigger is on November 6, 2023, Mr. Wijanto was reported to the Metro Police on suspicion of committing a series of crimes while serving as CEO of trading company PT Mitra Cipta Agro," said Rahmady.

Regarding PT Mitra Cipta Agro, Rahmady's wife, Margaret Christina, explained that she was entirely a private company that she had established with friends in 2019.

At that time, shareholders agreed to appoint Wijanto Tirtasana as CEO.

"We have appointed Wijanto, one of which is considering that the person concerned is qualified enough to run the company," said Margaret.

According to Margaret, at that time the company's financial statements contained engineering as if the company was experiencing financial difficulties. Even though the company's sales turnover has increased sharply and based on internal investigations, Wijanto is suspected of having committed an unlawful act.

"That is, forgery of letters by ordering to place false information into authentic deed, as well as criminal acts of embezzlement and money laundering," explained Margaret.

On that basis, Margaret reported Wijanto to Polda Metro Jaya with Police Report number LP/B/6652/XI/2023/SPKT/Polda Metro Jaya, dated November 6, 2023. In the Police Report, Wijanto is said to have violated Article 263 and/or Article 266 and/or Article 374 of the Criminal Code and/or Article 3, Article 4, and Article 5 of Law Number 8 of 2010 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of the Crime of Money Laundering.

"The information we received, the investigation process is still ongoing and has even gone up to the investigation stage," said Margaret.