KPK Explores Instructions For Bribery For HGU Permits Not Only To Kuansing Regent Andi

Illustration (Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that there are other parties who also received bribes related to the extension of the right to cultivate (HGU) permits for oil palm plantations besides the inactive Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regent Andi Putra. This allegation was then investigated by investigators by summoning nine witnesses on Friday, November 5.

"Located at the Land Regional Office of Riau Province, Pekanbaru City, the investigation team has examined a number of witnesses for the suspect AP," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, Monday, November 8.

The nine witnesses summoned were the staff of the Riau Province Land Regional Office, Khoiril; analysis of HK Land at the Riau Province Land Regional Office, Desi E; and two staff of the Riau Province Land Regional Office, Roby A and Rizal A.

Next, another witness called was a private party named Andri A alias Andre Kare; Head of Business Development and Counseling, Sri Ambar Kusumawati; former Head of the Kampar District Office, Sutilwan; and Assistant I Kampar, Ahmad Yuzar.

Not only that, the Corruption Eradication Commission has also summoned another witness on Thursday, November 4 to be examined regarding the alleged bribery. There were 10 witnesses who were examined at the Riau Police Ditreskrimsus Office and they were the HK Land Analyst at the Riau Province Land Regional Office, Siddiq Aulia; HK Land Analyst at the Riau Province Land Regional Office, Yani Feranika; and a measuring officer at the Riau Provincial Defense Office, Novita Ayu K.

In addition, the KPK also summoned the First Mapping Surveyor at the Riau Province Land Regional Office, Putri Merdekawati; Section Head at the Singingi Hilir Sub-District Office, Joni Masriadi; and a number of village heads as well as sub-district heads, namely Sunyeto, Mujiono, Nur Rahmad, Abdul Rahmat, and Rian Fitra.

"All witnesses were present and the investigative team continued to investigate, among others, related to the management of the Palm Oil HGU by PT AA (Adimulia Agrolestari) which was carried out by the suspect SDR (Sudarso) who was suspected of having a flow of funds to various parties including the suspect AP (Andi son)," said Ali.

Not only that, the KPK also accepts returns and deposits from a number of parties. However, Ali did not specify how much money was returned and received by the investigators.

"Furthermore, the KPK hopes that other parties who will be summoned by the Investigative Team will also cooperate to explain honestly and assist the process of investigating this case," he said.

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 Rp500 million and October of Rp200 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.