Timah Commercial Procedure Case: Aon Clarifies Cooperation With PT Timah Tbk

The defendant in the tin trading corruption case, Thamron alias Aon, read out his plea at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Monday, December 16. (IST)

The defendant in the alleged corruption case of tin trading system, Thamron alias Aon, owner of CV Venus Inti Perkasa (VIP), denied allegations of carrying out illegal mining activities. Aon emphasized that the cooperation between his company and PT Timah Tbk was carried out based on a valid agreement to support the increase in national lead production.

"If time can be repeated, I will not agree to this cooperation because I have to sacrifice my family and all the results of the business that I have built for a long time," said Aon while reading the plea at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Monday, December 16.

The Beginning Of Cooperation

Aon explained that in 2018 he was contacted by Harvey Moeis, who stated that PT Timah Tbk wanted to increase production to become the number one supplier of lead in the world. To achieve this target, PT Timah Tbk requires support from the smelter company in refining and logging tin ore.

"I ask the Directors of CV VIP Hasan Thjie and Ahmad Albani to ensure that this cooperation must be based on the IUP for legitimate and not illegal mining operations," Aon explained.

This businessman from Bangka Belitung admitted that he had tried to ensure that all production operations were carried out according to the rules. However, he regretted that their activities were later referred to as illegal mining.

According to Aon, during the cooperation agreement until 2020, CV VIP never received a warning from PT Timah Tbk. "We carry out activities with good faith, full of honesty, and according to the agreement. There is no default, let alone unlawful action," he said.

He also questioned the allegations of illegal mining, even though the entire process of collecting tin ore, transporting, refining, and production was under the full supervision of PT Timah Tbk.

"We only help legitimate IUP holders. There is no malicious intent in this cooperation. In fact, PT Timah Tbk gets big profits without issuing any capital. The state also gets taxes and royalties from these activities," said Aon.

Non-Saving Audit

Aon added that the CV VIP business activities had gone through an audit of public accountants and the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) on July 26, 2021. The results of the audit did not find any irregularities in the performance of PT Timah Tbk.

"The advantages obtained by private smelters, including the VIP CV, are natural in the business world," he said.

At the end of his defense, Aon expressed his concern over the fate of CV VIP employees. According to him, many employees have not received wages due to the confiscation and blocking of company assets.

"I was devastated to hear the news that many employees were unable to pay for their children's education and pay house installments. I ask the Panel of Judges to cancel the confiscation of my five companies so that they can return to operation in the interests of the people of Bangka Belitung," concluded Aon.