KPK Examines 5 South Korean Citizens In Seoul Regarding Alleged Bribery Of IDR 6 Billion Cirebon PLTU

Illustration Of PLTU Sulalaya, Cilegon (ANTARA)

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has apparently received information from 5 South Korean citizens regarding the alleged bribery of the PLTU construction permit in Cirebon in February 2025. The examination was carried out at the Seoul Central Prosecutor's Office with local authorities.

"February yesterday investigators went to South Korea," said a VOI source via text message, Tuesday, May 6.

The same source said that KPK investigators only accompanied when a request for information was made. This process is called to strengthen evidence of alleged bribery that ensnared Herry Jung as General Manager of Hyundai Engineering and Construction.

"South Korean prosecutors are asking for information," he said explaining the ongoing process.

It did not specify who the South Koreans were being questioned. However, the five were called Hyundai Engineering and Construction employees who worked in Indonesia when the fraudulent practice took place.

"However, when this case entered the investigation stage they returned to Korea. Company employees (Hyundai Engineering and Construction, ed)," he said.

Meanwhile, the KPK Spokesperson Team, Budi Prasetyo, confirmed the examination of South Korean citizens in February. The process is called through the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) mechanism.

"KPK has obtained a permit and has examined witnesses from South Korean countries. This examination was carried out last February and until now the MLA process is still ongoing," said Budi in a written statement.

"We express our appreciation and gratitude to the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the South Korean Government for facilitating this process," he continued without specifying the parties being examined.

Previously reported, the KPK has named General Manager of Hyundai Engineering and Construction Herry Jung (HJ) as a suspect in 2019 or in the era of Agus Rahardjo's leadership, et al. This step is a development of a hand arrest operation (OTT) that ensnared former Cirebon Regent Sunjaya Purwadisastra.

However, Herry has not yet been detained by investigators. He is suspected of giving bribes to Sunjaya worth Rp. 6.04 billion from his initial promise of Rp. 10 billion for the permit of PT Cirebon Energi Prasarana who worked on PLTU 2 in Cirebon Regency.

This bribe was carried out in stages through the Beber Sub-district Head of Cirebon Regency Rita Susana who is also the wife of the Astanajapura Sub-district Head Mahmud Iing Tajudin on Sunjaya's orders. The process is carried out by making a fictitious Work Order (SPK) with PT MIM (Milades Indah Mandiri).

Recently, the anti-corruption commission is known to have summoned a number of witnesses to investigate Herry Jung's actions. Among them is Sono Surapto, who is a retired Head of the Cirebon Regency DPPKBP3 Office from 2017 to 2018 on Monday, May 5.