KPK Search 4 Locations Of Corruption Cases At The Directorate General Of Taxes, Confiscated Electronic Goods

Directorate General of Taxes (DOK ANTARA / HO Ministry of Finance)

JAKARTA - Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators searched a number of places and found evidence in the form of documents and electronic items. This search is related to a case of alleged gratification at the Directorate General of Taxes.

"The KPK investigative team has conducted searches in several locations in the South Kalimantan region related to allegations of corruption in receiving gifts or promises for tax audits in 2016 and 2017 at the Directorate General of Taxes," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Affairs Ali Fikri in a statement. he wrote to reporters, Thursday, March 18.

The four locations ransacked by investigators were the offices of PT Jhonlin Baratama in Simpang Empat District, Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan as well as three houses belonging to related parties in this case.

However, there was no mention of the details of the owner of the house that was searched. Because at this time the KPK has not announced the suspects in this case.

"From this search, evidence was found, including various documents and electronic items that are suspected of being related to the case," said Ali.

After the search and evidence is brought by the investigator, then analysis and verification will be carried out for confiscation.

Previously reported, the alleged corruption crime at the Directorate General of Taxes was confirmed by KPK Deputy Chairman Alexander Marwata. on Tuesday, March 2nd. Despite confirming the investigation, the anti-graft commission has not yet wanted to announce a suspect in the case.

"We are really investigating, but the suspect will be later. In that investigation we are looking for evidence to determine the suspect. This is what we are doing," Alex told reporters at the KPK's Red and White House, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

The KPK, he continued, had named a suspect in this case. However, he did not want to explain further considering that the investigating team is currently still working on gathering evidence in the case.

Even so, Alex had leaked the mode of the tax corruption case he was currently investigating. According to him, the mode used in this case was the same as the case that had been handled by the KPK, namely that taxpayers gave bribes to tax auditors so that the tax value would be low.

In addition, he also explained, the value of tax bribes that has occurred currently is around tens of billions of rupiah. "The bribes are also in the tens of billions. It is not wrong that it also involves a team of examiners. If the tax is that way, how do you make the taxpayer pay low taxes by bribing the examiner so that the tax is lowered," said Alex.

In investigating this case, the anti-corruption commission has coordinated with the Inspectorate General (Itjen) of the Ministry of Finance. The KPK, said Alex, will handle the bribery case while the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Finance and the Directorate General of Taxes of the Ministry of Finance will re-examine the tax payments suspected of containing the bribe.

Several days later, the KPK asked the Directorate General of Immigration to prevent the six people associated with this case from leaving the country. Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Affairs Ali Fikri said this was done to facilitate the investigation that was being carried out.

"Prevention of going abroad is of course in the interests of the smooth running of the investigation process so that if needed for the purposes of examination they will be at home," Ali said in a written statement to reporters, Thursday, March 4.

Ali said that this prevention had been carried out according to applicable procedures and was carried out on several suspects in this case. However, Ali did not specify who was prevented and how long it would take.

"It is true that the KPK has sent a letter to the Directorate General of Immigration to prohibit several parties related to this case," he said.

The Directorate General of Immigration has also taken precautions against the six people requested by the KPK. Two ASNs prevented from leaving the country had the initials APA and DR while the rest were RAR, AIM, VL, and AS.

Prevention is valid for two and six months from February 8 to August 5.