The KPK Continues To Look For Sankalp Jaithalia To Testify In The Rita Widyasari Case

KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo (Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to look for Sankalp Jaithalia as Director of Finance Archean International as well as Chairman of the Indonesia Chapter of ICAI.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said investigators needed his statement to investigate the alleged gratification of the metric tons of coal mining that ensnared former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari. He should have been examined as a witness on Thursday, October 9.

"(Witnesses who are Indian citizens, ed) are still being searched," Budi told reporters quoted on Wednesday, October 15.

Budi said that Sankalp could actually be cooperative in attending without needing to be sought. Likewise with other parties called in this case.

"We also at the same time appeal to those concerned or other related parties who are summoned by investigators in the investigation process to be cooperative, present and also provide the necessary information," he said.

"Because every information, every statement from the witness is of course very important. It is very necessary for investigators to reveal the case being handled," continued Budi.

Previously reported, the KPK continues to investigate allegations of corruption related to coal exports that dragged Rita Widyasari's name. The anti-corruption agency suspects that Rita received 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.