Tan Paulin Examined In Rita Widyasari's Case, APPRI: Those Who Help KPK

Chairman of APPRI, Rudi Prianto (Rizky AP/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) examined the President Director of PT Sentosa Laju Energy, Tan Paulin, as a witness related to the alleged money laundering crime (TPPU) that ensnared former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari.

Related to this, the Indonesian People's Mining Entrepreneurs Association (APPRI) admitted that it was surprised by the news about the examination.

This is because a woman known as 'Queen of Coal' is considered a law-abiding mining entrepreneur in running her business and a person who advocates for the people to carry out legal mining. So, did not expect to be questioned by the KPK.

"We are surprised by our Board of Trustees, who have provided a lot of input to us as if they were reported negative for giving information to the KPK," said APPRI General Chair Rudi Prianto, quoted Thursday, September 5.

Rudi Prianto said that the KPK had twice held an audience with APPRI to obtain an in-depth investigation into business problems in East Kalimantan Province (Kaltim).

The reason is, APPRI is an organization that often educates the people to carry out mining according to legal regulations.

On the other hand, Tan Paulin as the Board of Trustees always encourages APPRI to help the people carry out legal mining based on applicable regulations.

People who do not know the permit are directed. His message should not be violated by the rules. But after being examined by the KPK, the old news that has always been raised," said Rudi.

So, it is suspected that there were parties who rode Tan Paulin's statement taken by the KPK to be led as if they were negative.

In fact, APPRI was invited by the KPK's Prevention and Monitoring Directorate to help the Anti-corruption Commission prevent corruption in the business world.

He also showed evidence of the audience requested by the KPK which was signed by the Deputy for Prevention and Monitoring, Pahala Nainggolan.

"We are fast in enforcing the rules but our coach is justified as if the suspect has been cut off. The news now seems as if this is the Queen of corridors," he said.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General (Secretary General) of APPRI Lukman Malanuang added that his party did not only provide advice to the Anti-corruption Commission for mining governance.

However, APPRI is also active in providing input to the Directorate General (Ditjen) of Mineral and Coal (Minerba) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) since 2023.

"We held an audience with the Director General of Mineral and Coal on how to make this mining benefit the community," said Lukman.

The hearing process conducted by APPRI has an impact on moving the regional economy in the form of increasing non-tax state revenue (PNBP).

However, Lukman regretted the news of taking Tan Paulin's statement by the KPK which was narrated as if it were related to the incident being investigated by the Anti-corruption Commission.

"Even though he is doing business professionally as a trader in this coal mining sector. In fact, he encourages transparency and accountability to be formed," said Lukman.

Meanwhile, Tan Paulin was questioned on Thursday, August 29. During the examination process, the KPK excavated its coal company in Kutai Kartanegara.

"Brother TP alias PT is being investigated regarding the company's coal transactions in the Kutai Kartanegara area," said KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika.