Head Of Riau BPN Examined By KPK Regarding Money Flow In The Case Of Kuansing Regent's Bribery Off

Head of the Riau Province National Land Agency (BPN) Regional Office M. Syahrir after being questioned by the KPK (Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has finished examining the Head of the Regional Office of the National Land Agency (BPN) of Riau Province, M. Syahrir.

He was examined as a witness in the case of extending the right to cultivate oil palm plantations that ensnared the inactive Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regent Andi Putra.

Acting Spokesperson for Prevention Ipi Maryati said that during the examination, investigators explored a number of things. This includes recommendations for granting HGU permits to PT Adimulia Agrolestari.

"The person concerned was present and confirmed, among other things, regarding the recommendation for granting a HGU permit to PT AA," Ipi told reporters, Wednesday, November 17.

Not only that, Syahrir was also investigated regarding the alleged flow of funds after the issuance of permits to a number of parties.

Even so, after being questioned, Syahrir denied that there was money flowing internally at the Riau Province BPN.

"Nothing, nothing (subordinates who receive money, ed)," he said after being questioned at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Wednesday, November 17.

He also emphasized that the process of granting HGU recommendations carried out by his party was in accordance with the procedure. Syahrir said there was no clandestine in the middle of this process.

"The plasma (placement) was originally in Kampar, but because of the division of the region into two regions, namely Kampar and Kuansing. So Kuansing also asked for land," he explained.

"So regarding the application for HGU in Kuansing, the plasma is in Kampar, while Kuansing asks for plasma as well, so clarification and opinion from the Kuansing Regent is needed," he added.

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 Rutan at the Jaya Guntur Pomdam Branch and the Merah Putih building.