HGU Sawit Case In Kuansing, KPK Reminds PT Adimulya Agrolestari Commissioner Franky Widjaja To Be Cooperative

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Acting Spokesperson for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, reminded the witnesses summoned regarding the alleged bribery case of the oil palm cultivation rights (HGU) in Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regency to cooperate.

This warning was given after a witness in the case against the inactive Kuansing Regent Andi Putra, Franky Widjaja, was not present when called by investigators on Thursday, October 28. The commissioner of PT Adimulya Agrolestari, said Ali, asked that his summons be postponed.

"Information that we received, the person concerned asked for a rescheduling," Ali told reporters, Monday, October 1.

Upon this request, the anti-terror commission reminded all parties, including Franky, to be committed and cooperative when examined on a predetermined schedule.

"KPK urges those concerned to be committed and cooperative to attend the next summons schedule," said Ali.

As previously reported, the KPK named Andi Putra and PT Adimulia Agrolestari General Manager, Sudarso, as suspects in the bribery case for plantation permits. This allegation began when PT Adimulia Agrolestari applied for an extension of the Right to Cultivate (HGU) starting in 2019 and ending in 2024.

The proposal stated that each company must build a partnership garden of at least 20 percent of the HGU in the Kuansing area. However, the company actually made it in Kampar Regency, not in Kuansing Regency.

Even so, Sudarso still submitted a letter of application to Andi to approve it. However, the agreement was reached with the provision of money twice, namely in September of Rp500 million and October of Rp200 million.

As a result of this action, the KPK then named Andi and Sudarso as suspects. The two suspects were detained in two different places, namely the KPK Detention Center at the Jaya Guntur Pomdam Branch and the Merah Putih building.