At Hapan Hakim, The Witness Claims To Be Asked By King Thamsir Rachman Subsequent Surya Darmadi's Palm License

A number of witnesses for the defendant Surya Darmadi in the alleged corruption case of the oil palm/ANTARA plantation business

JAKARTA - Former Head of the Forestry and Plantation Service of Indragiri Hulu, Riau, Amet Tripjapraja said that he was asked by the Regent of Indragiri Hulu 1999-2008 Raja Thamsir Rachman to pass a number of permits for Surya Darmadi's oil palm plantations. "In 2004, I met him (Raja Thamsir Rachman) sitting in the lobby of the Indonesian Hotel. There was someone Mr. Surya Darmadi, (then introduced) 'This is Mr. Surya Darmadi', said Mr. Thamsir, after that, the Regent spoke with me, I was presented with a map, 'Sir, please help Mr. Surya to make a plantation business in Indragiri Hulu,' Amet said at the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor) quoted from Antara, Monday, October 10. Amet Tripjapraja became a witness for the owner of the Darmex Group Surya Darmadi who was a defendant in the alleged criminal act of corruption in the oil palm plantation business without a permit in Riau for the 2004-2022 period and money laundering 2005-2022. "That's a 2003 permit for PT Banyu Bening Utama, in Paya Rambida Village, Seberida District covering an area of 4 thousand hectares," said Amet. According to Amet, the land requested is land not a forest area based on the Regional Spatial Planning Map Number 10 Regional Regulation Number 10 of 1994 concerning Regional Spatial Planning. "Based on Regional Regulation Number 10 of 1994, it is not a forest area, but based on the Forest Forms, the agreement is from the forest ministry, it turns out that the area requested is a forest area," added Amet. Amet then received the map presented by Raja Thamsir as well as the documents of PT Banyu Bening Utama. "There is already a draft concept of the regent's decree (SK) for plantation business permits (IUP), I was only asked to improve the draft decree," said Amet. Amet admitted that he did not reject the regent's order at that time. "Then the company submitted a request for a revision to the regent regarding the plantation area of 4,000 hectares to 6 thousand hectares," said Amet. However, the area of 6,000 hectares turned out to be included in the forest area. "I then explained that there was a forest area, in the staff review letter. Then I was summoned before him (Governor of Raja Thamsir) in the regent's office and it was conveyed 'Please complete the recommendation for the revised PT Banyu Bening application, I will complete it so that the permit is issued, I make a recommendation," explained Amet. The recommendation was regarding the approval of the requested IUP even though Amet knew the area was a forest area, so permission for PT Bening Banyu Bening covering an area of 6,420 hectares came out. "Does the plantation involve the local community?" asked the Attorney General's Office. "No," replied Amet. In addition to PT Banyu Bening Utama, he took care of a permit for another company owned by Surya Darmadi, namely PT Palma Satu covering an area of around 14,000 hectares in Pegayangan Village, Seberida District, Indragiri Hulu Regency. "For the land, approximately 3 thousand hectares, according to the regional regulation 10, are forest areas," said Amet. "Can you do it, sir, by providing recommendations?" asked the prosecutor. "Keep the money, sir, but not much," replied Amet. "How much?" asked the prosecutor. "Rp25 million from Mr. Suheri," replied Amet. Suheri in question is Terta as Legal Manager of Licensing and Documentation of the Palma Group Duta The indictment states that Surya Darmadi's actions cost the state finances amounting to Rp. 4,798,706,951,640 and 7,885,857.36 US dollars based on a report from the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) Number PE.03/SR/657/D5/01/2022 dated August 25, 2022 and the state economy of Rp. 73,920,690,300 based on a report from the Institute for Research and Economic and Business Training, Faculty of Economics and Business, Gadjah Mada University on August 24, 2022, bringing the total state losses due to Surya Darmadi's actions to Rp. 78.8 trillion. Surya Darmadi is suspected of committing a criminal act of corruption in the oil palm plantation business without a permit in Riau province for the 2004-2022 period so that he made a profit of Rp. 7,593,068,204,327 and 7,885,857.36 US dollars (approximately Rp. 117.617 billion with an exchange rate of Rp. 14,915) for a total of Rp. 7.71 trillion. For the Rp7.71 trillion gain, Surya Darmadi was then suspected of committing a money laundering crime in the 2010-2022 period in the form of purchasing land, property, providing loans to affiliated parties, financing the construction of factories to buying shares.