Alex Noerdin Becomes Suspect Of Corruption In Purchasing Natural Gas, Immediately Arrested By AGO

Alex Noerdin/DOK Antara

JAKARTA - Former Governor of South Sumatra Alex Noerdin has been named a suspect in the alleged corruption case in the purchase of natural gas by the BUMD of the Regional Mining and Energy Company of South Sumatra for the 2010-2019 period.

"The investigative team has upgraded the status of suspects Alex Noerdin and MM with the issuance of a warrant for the investigation of the Director of Jampidsus," said the Head of the AGO, Leonard Eben Ezer Simanjuntak, Thursday, September 16.

Alex Noerdin is being questioned by the Attorney General's Office today. He was immediately arrested by the Attorney General's Office.

"Therefore, in order to speed up the investigation, the two suspects were detained for 20 days. For suspect AN, starting today, September 16 to October 5, 2021, detention will be carried out at the Class 1 Cipinang Rutan, the branch of the KPK Detention Center," Leonard continued.

Previously, the AGO explained that this case occurred between 2010-2019. The South Sumatra Provincial Government received an allocation to purchase the state's share of natural gas from JOB PT Pertamina, Talisman Ltd, Pacific Oil and Gas Ltd, Jambi Merang (JOB Jambi Merang) in the amount of 15 MMSCFD based on the decision of the Oil and Gas Management Agency (BP Migas) at the request of the Governor South Sumatra Alex Noerdin.

BP Migas' decision to appoint South Sumatra PDPDE BUMD as the buyer of the country's share of natural gas. However, with the argument that PDPDE does not have technical experience and funds, South Sumatra PDPDE in collaboration with private investors, PT Dika Karya Lintas Nusa formed a joint venture company PT PDPDE Gas with a composition of 15 percent share ownership for South Sumatra PDPDE and 85 percent for PT DKLN.

The AGO said investigators were still continuing their investigations to find other suspects who were suspected of having participated in the corruption crime of purchasing natural gas by the South Sumatra PDPDE BUMD in 2010-2019.