KPK Confirms Fugitive Surya Darmadi Is Not In Indonesia

KPK Deputy Chairman Nawawi Pomolango/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Nawawi Pomolango has confirmed that his fugitive Surya Darmadi is not in Indonesia. The owner of PT Duta Palma Group is still being sought.

"It is certain that the KPK in question (Surya Darmadi, ed) does not exist in Indonesia," Nawawi told reporters at the ACLC KPK building, Rasuna Said, South Jakarta, Tuesday, August 9.

Nawawi admitted that his party did not know the exact whereabouts of the fugitive. He also did not say much about the search.

"But where we do not know. We make sure he is not in Indonesia," he said.

Surya Darmadi was initially widely reported to be in Singapore. However, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the news.

"According to our immigration records, Surya Darmadi is not currently in Singapore," said a spokesperson for the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an official statement quoted by VOI, Saturday, August 6.

Even so, the Singaporean authorities ensured that they would help find Surya Darmadi's whereabouts in accordance with applicable international law.

"If Indonesia makes a formal request to Singapore with the necessary supporting information, Singapore will provide Indonesia with the necessary assistance, in accordance with our international law and obligations."

Previously, the Attorney General's Office named Surya Darmadi as the owner of PT Duta Palma Group as a suspect in alleged corruption in the seizure of 37,095 hectares of land in Riau. He was named along with another suspect, Raja Thamsir Rahman who is a former regent of Indragiri Hulu.

Meanwhile at the KPK, Surya Darmadi has been named a suspect since 2019. This determination was made after investigators developed a case against former Riau Governor Annas Maamun.