KPK Can Make Pertamina-CCL Contracts Threatened If Insists On Collecting Replacement Money

DOC VOI

JAKARTA - Steps by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to collect replacement money from Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LCC (CCL) regarding allegations of corruption in the procurement of Liquidized Natural Gas (LNG) can make contracts with PT Pertamina (Persero) threatened. The representative of the foreign company has never been tried.

"Corpus has never been heard at trial and he is not a defendant. (Corpus, red) is not bound by the verdict of our case," Augustinus Hutajulu, who is a legal practitioner, told reporters on Monday, July 22.

Augustinus assessed that the KPK could only pursue replacement money from CCL if the United States court stated that corruption had occurred. "It's just possible. This isn't it, so the witnesses aren't as far as I know," he said.

Moreover, the case that ensnared the former President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero), Karen Agustiawan, has not yet been declared legally binding. Thus, decisions that have been knocked by the panel of judges can still change.

"If he appeals, who knows he's free," he said.

Furthermore, Augustinus believes that CCL does not just give trillions of rupiah as replacement money. "For me this doesn't make sense. Masa Corpus was told to return the profits. This is a business, unless he wants charity," explained Augustinus.

"It could also be that Corpus decides on a contract if he is made a hassle and chased and then he decides on his contract," he continued.

Previously reported, the KPK tried to chase money back with a value of 113.84 million US dollars or around Rp. 1.8 trillion. The claim is that communication with local law enforcement officials has been carried out.

"We are actually more focused on how to return state financial losses for asset recovery. So that we can take state money that comes out due to criminal acts of corruption," said KPK Investigation Director Asep Guntur Rahayu to reporters some time ago.