KPK Investigate Mining Business Permit Process In Mardani Maming Case

Witness examined by KPK/IST PHOTO

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the process of obtaining a mining business permit in Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan. This step was carried out by examining two private employees, namely Budi Harto and Idham Chalid.

Both were questioned on Thursday, July 14, as witnesses related to the alleged bribery and gratification that ensnared the former Tanah Bumbu Regent, Mardani H. Maming.

"The attendance and confirmation related to, among other things, the process of managing and transferring mining business permits (IUP) in Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Ali Fikri told reporters on Friday, July 15.

Meanwhile, after being questioned, the two witnesses were reluctant to answer any questions from reporters at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta. Budi Harto even denied knowing Mardani Maming.

"No (his friend, red). No. I don't know Maming," he said as he walked towards the exit of the building.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has not yet detailed the suspects who have been named in the bribery and gratification case. However, Mardani's status as a suspect in this case was mentioned by the Directorate General (DG) of Immigration, Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkum HAM) who carried out prevention abroad for six months.

In this case, Mardani Maming was said to have received Rp89 billion in money in a trial for alleged bribery for a mining business license (IUP) in Tanah Bumbu Regency which was held at the Tipikor Court, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (Kalsel).

This allegation was conveyed by the younger brother of former President Director of PT Prolindo Cipta Nusantara (PCN) Henry Soetio, Christian Soetio. At that time, Christian claimed to know that there was a flow of funds to the former Regent of Tanah Bumbu Mardani H Maming through PT Permata Abadi Raya (PAR) and PT Trans Surya Perkasa (TSP).

The money transfer has been going on since 2014. The amount of tens of billions of rupiah is referred to as the amount quoted based on PT PCN's financial statements.