Returning To Indonesia Tomorrow, Corruption Suspect Of IDR 78 Trillion Surya Darmadi Reasons Not Responding To Calls Because Of Sickness

The Jampidsus investigation team of the Attorney General's Office put a sign of confiscation on a parcel of land owned by PT Duta Palma Group/Via ANTARA

JAKARTA - The suspect in the alleged corruption case of land grabbing PT Duta Palma who is also declared a fugitive, Surya Darmadi stated that he will return to Indonesia on Monday, August 15 next.

In a written letter addressed to the Indonesian Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, Surya stated that he was ready to face the applicable legal process.

"I promise that in August 2022, I will immediately come before the Attorney General's Office and be ready to follow all existing legal procedures," Surya said in his letter, quoted on Sunday, August 14.

Previously, the Attorney General's Office had summoned the suspect in the alleged corruption case that cost the state Rp78 trillion to attend on Thursday, August 11.

However, Surya, whose whereabouts are currently unknown, explained that he was not present at the summons due to his sick condition. This made him unable to return to Indonesia some time ago.

"Regarding the summons, I apologize profusely for not being able to attend due to my current health condition, which is not yet possible," he said.

As is known, the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes at the AGO, Febrie Adriansyah, said that his party would process Surya Darmadi in absentia. The effort was made because until now investigators have not been able to bring Surya Darmadi.

Surya Darmadi is the owner of the Duta Palma Group, which was named a suspect in the corruption case of oil palm land tenure because it cost the state Rp78 trillion. Apart from Surya Darmadi, former Indragiri Hulu Regent Raja Thamsir Rahman (RTR) was also named a suspect.

The head of the Attorney General's Office for Legal Information, Ketut Sumedana, previously said that the investigation team had summoned Surya Darmadi three times. The letter was sent to his residence which is located on Jalan Bukit Gilf Utama PE. 9 Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

Furthermore, a summons was also sent to the Palma Group Duta Office at Palma Tower, 22nd floor at Jalan RA Kartinj III-S Kavling 6, Pondok Pinang, South Jakarta. Finally, to Surya Darmadi's apartment at 21 Nassim Road # 01-18 Nassim Park Residences Singapore.

"And a summons was also announced in the newspaper. The Attorney General's Office assessed that the SD suspect had relinquished his rights in defending in the law enforcement process and will continue to coordinate the search and law enforcement will continue as per the applicable laws and regulations," said Ketut.

As a reminder, the investigation team has named two suspects. They are Surya Darmadi (SD) as the owner of PT Duta Palma Group. Then, Raja Thamsir Rachman (RTS) as the Regent of Indragiri Hulu for the 1999-2008 period.