Examine The Acting Secretary Of Kuansing Regency, KPK Investigate Provision Of Facilities Related To The Extension Of Palm Oil Rights

Illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) are investigating the granting of facilities to a number of parties by PT Adimulia Agrolestari regarding the extension of the right to use permit (HGU) for oil palm plantations in Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regency.

This was done by examining 10 people on Monday, November 1 yesterday at the Riau Police Ditreskrimsus Office. They were called as witnesses for the suspect Andi Putra, who is the inactive Kuansing Regent.

"The witnesses were present and confirmed, among others, regarding the application for an extension of the HGU by PT AA and the alleged provision of certain facilities to several parties related to the management," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Sector Ali Fikri to reporters, Tuesday, November 2.

The ten people who were called were PJ Secretary of Kuansing Agus Mandar; Head of the Regional Secretariat for the Natural Resources Economy of Kuansing, Irwan Nazif; Senior Manager of PT AA, Paino Harianto; and staff of PT AA Rudy Ngadiman.

In addition, the KPK also examined PT AA's Legal staff, Fahmi Zulfanfi; PT AA staff, Yuhartaty; PT AA Riana Iskandar staff; Head of PT AA Syahlevi's Office; civil servant (PNS) Indrie Kartika Dewi; and Driver Joharnalis.

Not only that, investigators also investigated Andi's position as the Regent of Kuansing when giving the approval. "We are also investigating the position of the suspect AP in granting approval for the HGU permit," said Ali.

Previously reported, the KPK named Andi Putra and General Manager of PT Adimulia Agrolestari, Sudarso as suspects in the bribery case for plantation permits. This allegation began when PT Adimulia Agrolestari applied for an extension of the Right to Cultivate (HGU) starting in 2019 and ending in 2024.

The proposal stated that each company must build a partnership garden of at least 20 percent of the HGU in the Kuansing area. However, the company actually made it in Kampar Regency, not in Kuansing Regency.

Even so, Sudarso still submitted a letter of application to Andi to approve it. However, the agreement was reached with the provision of money twice, namely in September of Rp. 500 million and October of Rp. 200 million.

As a result of this action, the KPK then named Andi and Sudarso as suspects. The two suspects were detained in two different places, namely the KPK Detention Center at the Jaya Guntur Pomdam Branch and the Merah Putih building.