Through 7 Witnesses, KPK Finds Out The Process Of Procurement Of The AW-101 Helicopter In The Indonesian Air Force

Illustration. The AW 101 helicopter was parked at the 021 Engineering Squadron Hangar at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, in February 2017. (Antara-Widodo S Jusuf)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the procurement of the AW-101 transport helicopter. This was done by examining seven Indonesian Air Force (AU) officers as witnesses on Tuesday, July 26.

"Located at the TNI AU's Puspom office, the investigation team has finished examining a number of witnesses," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, to reporters, Wednesday, July 27.

Those examined were Marsda Supriyanto Basuki, Colonel Tek Agus Kamal, Colonel Kal Benni Prabowo, Colonel Kal Fransiskus Teguh Santosa, Colonel Tek Hendrison Syafril, Colonel Kal Achsanul Amaly and Colonel Kal Muklis.

"The witnesses were present and confirmed, among others, related to the process to the technical implementation of the procurement of the AW-101 Transport helicopter in the Indonesian Air Force in 2016-2017," said Ali.

Ali did not elaborate on the questioning of the seven officers. However, their statement is believed to reveal the alleged corruption in the procurement of the AW-101 helicopter.

Actually, investigators also plan to examine a witness, namely Colonel Lek Andy S. Pambudi. It's just that, said Ali, this TNI AU member was not present because he was sick.

"It will be rescheduled again," he said.

Previously reported, the KPK detained Irfan in the corruption case regarding the procurement of the AW-101 helicopter. He is suspected of making the state lose up to Rp224 billion from the value of the procurement contract which reached Rp738.9 billion.

For his actions, Irfan was later suspected of violating Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 of Law 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 Eradication of Corruption Crimes Jo Article 55 paragraph (1) to 1 of the Criminal Code.