Pertamina Corruption Alleged Case: Attorney General Has Not Confirmed The Death Penalty

Attorney General of the Republic of Indonesia, ST Burhanuddin (ANTARA)

JAKARTA Attorney General ST Burhanuddin does not want to speculate on the possibility of the death penalty for suspects in the alleged corruption case of crude oil governance and refinery products at PT Pertamina Subholding and Contractors of Cooperation Contracts (KKKS) for the period 2018-2023.

Burhanuddin emphasized that decisions related to penalties depend on the results of ongoing investigations.

"We will see the results of this investigation, we will see first," said Burhanuddin at the Attorney General's Office, Jakarta, Thursday, March 6.

This statement was in response to questions related to the possibility of implementing the death penalty, considering that this case occurred in 2018-2023, which coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Based on Article 2 Paragraph (2) of the Corruption Eradication Law (UU Tipikor), the death penalty can be imposed on perpetrators of corruption if the crime is committed when the country is in danger, a national natural disaster occurs, as a repeat of corruption, or when the country experiences an economic and monetary crisis.

Burhanuddin said that the Covid-19 pandemic factor would be taken into consideration in the investigation process.

"Is there anything burdensome in the Covid situation, he (the suspect) committed the act, and of course the threat of punishment will be heavier," said Burhanuddin.

"Even in such conditions, the death penalty is possible. But we will see first how the results of this investigation are," he added.

Nine Suspects And State Losses Rp193.7 Trillion

The Attorney General's Office has named nine suspects in this case, six of whom are high-ranking officials of Pertamina's subsidiaries or subholdings:

1. Riva Siahaan President Director of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga

2. Yoki Firnandi President Director of PT Pertamina International Shipping

3. Sani Dinar Saifuddin Director of Feedstock and Product Optimization of PT Refinery Pertamina International

4. Agus Purwono VP Feedstock Management PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional

5. Maya Kusmaya Director of Central and Commercial Marketing of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga

6. Edward Corne VP Trading Operation PT Pertamina Patra Niaga

In addition, the other three suspects came from the private sector or brokers:

7. Muhammad Kerry Adrianto Riza Beneficial Owner of PT Navigator Khatulistiwa

8. Dimas Werhaspati Commissioner of PT Navigator Khatulistiwa and Commissioner of PT Jenggala Maritime

9. Gading Ramadhan Joedo Commissioner of PT Jenggala Maritime and President Director of PT Orbit Terminal Merak

This allegation of corruption is estimated to cause state losses to reach Rp193.7 trillion. The suspects were charged with Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 which has been amended by Law no. 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code.

The investigation is still ongoing to determine the form of punishment that will be imposed on the suspects.