Justify Sending Letter To Mardani Maming, KPK: Case Investigation Begins

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed that it had sent a letter to the former Regent of Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan, Mardani H. Maming. This letter was sent as a notification that the investigation into the alleged bribery of mining permits had begun.

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, said the letter sent was in accordance with the procedure. However, he did not specify Mardani's legal status in the letter.

"That's right, the investigative team according to the procedure has been conveyed to the person concerned regarding the notification letter to start the investigation of the case in question," said Acting Spokesperson for the KPK for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, to reporters, Friday, June 24.

Ali ensured that the investigation process had begun with sufficient evidence. The investigation into the alleged bribery is also confirmed to have complied with applicable regulations.

"KPK already has sufficient evidence and we ensure that the investigation process is in accordance with applicable legal procedures," he said.

As previously reported, Mardani H. Maming's attorney, Ahmad Irawan, said that his party had received a letter of naming the suspect from the KPK on Wednesday, June 22.

Ahmad said that his team is currently conducting a study on further legal steps. Including, the possibility of filing a pretrial for the determination of the suspect by the KPK.

"It is being studied and prepared, including the pretrial effort," he told VOI, Friday, June 24.

Mardani was named a suspect after being prevented from going abroad by the Directorate General of Immigration at the request of the KPK. Before being named a suspect, the General Treasurer of the Nahdlaltul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) was also investigated.

However, after being questioned, he admitted that he was asked for information regarding his problem with the owner of PT Jhonlin Group Samsudin Andi Arsyad alias Haji Isam.

Even so, Maming's name was actually mentioned as receiving Rp89 billion in money in a trial for alleged bribery for a mining business permit (IUP) in Tanah Bumbu Regency which was held at the Tipikor Court, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (Kalsel).

This allegation was conveyed by the younger brother of former President Director of PT Prolindo Cipta Nusantara (PCN) Henry Soetio, Christian Soetio. At that time, Christian claimed to know that there was a flow of funds to the former Regent of Tanah Bumbu Mardani H Maming through PT Permata Abadi Raya (PAR) and PT Trans Surya Perkasa (TSP).

The money transfer has been going on since 2014. The amount of tens of billions of rupiah is referred to as the amount quoted based on PT PCN's financial statements.