Former Subordinates Of Anies Baswedan Detained By KPK After Causing State Loss Of IDR 152.5 Billion Through Land Acquisition

KPK press conference (Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has finally detained a former subordinate of the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan, the former Managing Director of the Regional Public Company for the Development of Sarana Jaya, Yoory Corneles.

Not only that, the anti-graft commission asked all government agencies to comply with procurement procedures in order to prevent similar cases from recurring.

Wearing an orange vest that says KPK Prisoners, Yoory Corneles now has to feel the coldness of the KPK Detention Center. He was detained after being named a suspect since February 24 in the alleged corruption case of land acquisition in Munjul, Pondok Ranggon, Jakarta.

"The investigative team detained YRC (Yoory Corneles) suspect for 20 days from May 27, 2021 to June 15, 2021," said KPK Deputy Chairman Nurul Ghufron during a press conference at the KPK Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, 27 May.

He was detained at the Corruption Eradication Center (Rutan) KPK, Pomdam Jaya Guntur Branch. However, Yoory will carry out independent isolation at the KPK Detention Center for the C1 Lot Branch to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Yoory was named a suspect along with the Director of PT Adonara Propertindo Tomy Ardian, and Deputy Director of PT Adonara Propertindo Anja Runtuwene. The Anti-Corruption Agency also named PT Adonara Propertindo as a corporate suspect in this case.

For the other two suspects, there are currently no arrests. Ghufron said they would soon be summoned to be detained.

Before determining the suspects, 44 witnesses were examined by KPK investigators in this case.

How Yoorys cost the country hundreds of billions

In this case, Yoorys turned out to have cost the state hundreds of billions of rupiah as a result of his actions in the land acquisition process.

"It is suspected that they have resulted in state financial losses of at least Rp152.5 billion," said KPK Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Setyo Budiyanto in a press conference held at the KPK's Red and White House, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, May 27.

Setyo Budiyanto then explained that the case began. He said, Perumda Pembangunan Sarana Jaya, which is a BUMD in the property sector, seeks land in the Jakarta area to be used as a business unit as well as a land bank.

Furthermore, Perumda Pembangunan Sarana Jaya is working with PT Adonara Propertindo which is also engaged in the same field.

From this cooperation, on April 8, 2019, it was agreed to sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement Deed before a notary which took place at the Perumda Sarana Jaya office. This signature was carried out between the buyers, namely Yoory and Anja Runtuwene.

"Furthermore, still at the same time, a payment of 50 percent or around Rp.108.9 billion was immediately made to AR's bank account at Bank DKI," said Setyo.

Next, under Yoory's order, the next payment was made in the amount of IDR 43.5 billion. However, in the land acquisition process, Perumda Sarana Jaya was suspected of committing misappropriation such as not conducting a study on the appropriateness of land objects and not carrying out appraisal studies without being supported by the completeness of the requirements according to the relevant regulations.

In addition, this BUMD company is also strongly suspected of carrying out the process and stages of land acquisition that are not in accordance with procedures and documents have been prepared on a back-date basis, as well as the initial price agreement between Anja and Perumda Sarana Jaya before the negotiation process was carried out.

Ask government agencies to adhere to procurement procedures

So that a similar case did not occur, Setyo then reminded government agencies to comply with the established procurement procedures. This needs to be done to ensure accountability for procurement at both the central and regional government levels.

"The KPK reiterates that all government agencies adhere to established procurement procedures," he said.

In addition, Setyo also reminded state officials to uphold the oath of office and not abuse their authority for personal or group interests.

Meanwhile, for the private sector and corporations, they must also support the prevention of corruption. This is done by conducting business practices in accordance with existing regulations.

"The KPK hopes that the private sector and corporations will also have a role in preventing corruption by carrying out accountable and anti-corruption business practices," he said.

Next, the KPK also reminded about budget planning. Not only for planning the management of the APBD but also for capital participation in regional companies.

Not only that, the anti-graft commission in an integrated manner carried out prevention with existing government agencies from the results of the prosecution. This is done as an effort to learn to prevent corruption.