Wanted To Witness In Rita's Case, KPK Needs Information From Indian Citizens Regarding Mining Management

ILLUSTRATION BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that the statement by Sankalp Jaithalia as Director of Finance Archean International and Chairman of the Indonesia Chapter of ICAI was needed to investigate allegations of gratification related to the coal mine that ensnared the former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari. This condition made him then sought by investigators.

"Of course it will be investigated regarding the mining management carried out by the person concerned or companies affiliated with the person concerned," said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo to reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, October 9.

"Where in the management of the mine, investigators will of course explore how the payment of non-tax state revenues or PNBP," he continued.

Budi said investigators wanted Sankalp to provide information so that the search was carried out. However, he did not specify the mechanism.

"We have not been able to convey the details (regarding the search, ed) which is certain that the KPK is still continuing to trace the whereabouts of the person concerned," he said.

"On this occasion, we also appeal to the witness in question to be cooperative in following the process of investigating this case," said Budi.

Previously reported, the KPK continues to investigate allegations of corruption related to coal exports that dragged Rita Widyasari's name. The KPK suspects that there was a receipt of money per metric ton from coal exploration activities allegedly received by Rita.

This investigation is also an entry point for the KPK to investigate allegations of money laundering (TPPU). In this case, Rita has been named a suspect along with Khairudin, Commissioner of PT Media Bangun Bersama, since January 16, 2018.

Both are suspected of washing the proceeds from project gratuities and permits in Kutai Kartanegara Regency with a total value of Rp436 billion.

Rita is currently serving a sentence at the Pondok Bambu Women's Correctional Institution, East Jakarta, after being found guilty of receiving gratuities worth Rp. 110.7 billion and bribes of Rp. 6 billion. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Jakarta Corruption Court on July 6, 2018.