KPK Investigate The Presence Of Fake Partner Companies During AW-101 Helicopter Procurement

The suspect in the alleged corruption in the procurement of the AW-101 helicopter, Irfan Kurnia Saleh (Wardhany T/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating allegations of fake partner companies during the procurement of the AW-101 helicopter by the Indonesian Air Force. This allegation was investigated by examining three witnesses from the private sector.

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, said the three witnesses were private or technical support staff of PT Diratama Jaya Mandiri in 2013-2017, Adhitya Tirtakusumah; Raina Abednego, and Bennyanto Sutjiadji.

The three were questioned on Thursday, August 4 at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

"The three witnesses complied with the summons of the investigation team and confirmed, among other things, the alleged use of certain companies by the suspect IKS to act as if they were partners in the procurement of the AW-101 transport helicopter in the Indonesian Air Force in 2016-2017", said Ali in his written statement to reporters, Friday, August 5.

From this examination, Ali said that investigators had obtained information to explain the fraudulent practices carried out by the Director of PT Diratama Jaya Mandiri, Irfan Kurnia Saleh (IKS).

Previously, 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 IDR 224 billion from the value of the procurement contract which reached IDR 738.9 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.