Former South Sumatra Governor Alex Noerdin Holds First Trial Of Corruption Allegations Of Natural Gas Purchases At The Palembang District Court

The defendant Alex Noerdin (left) attends a trial at the Palembang District Court, South Sumatra (ANTARA)

PALEMBANG - Former Governor of South Sumatra (Sumsel) Alex Noerdin underwent his inaugural trial related to the alleged corruption case in the purchase of natural gas by the BUMD of the South Sumatra Regional Mining and Energy Company (PDPDE) 2010-2019 at the Palembang District Court today.

The trial with the agenda of reading the indictment from the General Prosecutor of the South Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office (JPU Kejati) was followed by the defendant Alex Noerdin along with three other defendants, namely Muddai Madang, Caca Ica Saleh S and defendant A Yaniarsyah Hasan online from the Class 1A Pakjo Palembang detention house.

The trial began at 09.37 WIB, located in the main court room of the Palembang District Court (PN), led by a panel of judges chaired by Judge Abdul Aziz along with four judges, Yoserizal, Sahlan Efendi, Waslan Makhsid and Ardian Angga.

"We ask everyone in this trial to maintain integrity in this trial and remind anyone, in an effort to give and receive (bribes) or find out, they are expected to report, because they can be punished," said Judge Abdul Aziz when opening the trial, reported by Antara. .

The public prosecutor read out the indictments in turn, including the primary charges against each defendant. In his indictment, the Public Prosecutor found several things that could be suspected as unlawful acts committed by Alex Noerdin, Muddai Madang (former Director of PT Dika Karya Lintas Nusa (DKLN) and also President Director of PDPDE South Sumatra).

Defendants Caca Ica Saleh S (former Director of PDPDE and former President Director of PDPDE Gas), and defendants A Yaniarsyah Hasan (former Director of PT Dika Karya Lintas Nusantara (DKLN) concurrently Director of PT PDPDE Gas, former Director of PDPDE South Sumatra).

Where it started when the Provincial Government of South Sumatra obtained an allocation to buy the state's share of natural gas from FROM JOB PT. Pertamina, TALISMAN Ltd. PASIFIC OIL AND GAS Ltd., JAMBI MERANG (JOB Jambi Merang) amounting to 15 MMSCFD based on the Decree of the Head of the Oil and Gas Management Agency (BP MIGAS) at the request of the Governor of South Sumatra in 2010.

Whereas based on the decision of the Head of BP Migas, the one appointed as the buyer of the state's share of natural gas is the BUMD of the South Sumatra Province (the Regional Mining and Energy Company of the South Sumatra Province (PDPDE Sumsel).

However, on the pretext of the South Sumatra PDPDE not having technical experience and funds, the South Sumatra PDPDE in collaboration with a private investor, PT Dika Karya Lintas Nusa (PT DKLN) formed a joint venture company (PT PDPDE Gas) whose share ownership composition was 15 percent for Sumatran PDPDE. South and 85 percent for PT DKLN.

As a result of this deviation, it resulted in state financial losses which, according to expert calculations from the Supreme Audit Agency of the Republic of Indonesia, amounted to USD 30,194,452.79 (thirty million one hundred ninety-four thousand four hundred fifty-two point seventy-nine US dollars).

This amount comes from the revenue from gas sales minus operating costs for the period 2010 - 2019, which should have been received by the South Sumatra PDPDE.

In the amount of USD 63,750.00 (sixty three thousand seven hundred and fifty United States dollars) and Rp. 2,131,250,000.00 (two billion one hundred thirty one million two hundred and fifty thousand rupiah) which is a paid-up capital that should not be paid by the South Sumatra PDPDE.

Meanwhile, in this case, the defendants were subject to primary Article 2 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 18 of Law (UU) Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Non-Criminal Eradication of Corruption Jo Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st of the Criminal Code.

Subsidiary Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law (UU) number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Non-Criminal Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st Criminal Code.