This is what the AGO excavated from former Minister Susi Pudjiastuti

Former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti gave a statement to reporters after being questioned as a witness to the alleged corruption case of importing industrial salt at the ANTARA/Laily Rahmawaty AGO

JAKARTA - The Attorney General's Office (AGO) has finished examining the former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KP) Susi Pudjiastuti as a witness in the alleged corruption case in the import of industrial salt. The examination is called to complete the evidence.

"We summoned Ms. Susi Pudjiastuti as the former Minister of the KKP. To complete the evidence", said Director of Investigation of the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Kuntadi to reporters, Friday, October 7.

The examination of Susi Pudjiastuti aims to obtain information on the procedures, including the regulation of the salt import mechanism. From this information, the Attorney General's Office will strengthen the evidence and other instructions that have been collected.

"To add evidence in the context of investigations and to find out the background of regulations and mechanisms in determining salt import quotas", said Kuntadi.

Meanwhile, Susi was surprised that the examination she underwent seemed to be a shocking matter. In fact, he said it was just a normal thing.

His presence was also called to help law enforcement officers eradicate corruption cases.

So, as a good citizen, he fulfilled the call for examination.

Moreover, Susi continued, she understands more or less about the mechanism of salt production to regulatory trade systems.

"Of course, I want to participate in clarifying or giving opinions and views and what I have known as the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries", said Susi.

The AGO has increased the status of handling cases of alleged corruption in the import of salt in 2016-2022 to become an investigation.

The alleged corruption case of abuse of authority in determining quotas, granting approval, implementation, and supervision of salt imports has caused state economic losses.

In 2018, the Ministry of Trade issued approvals for the import of industrial salt to PT MTS, PT SM, and PT UI without verifying, causing an excess of industrial salt imports.

This case affected the business of PT Garam (Persero) owned by BUMN which was unable to compete with the low prices caused by the case of excess imports.

Based on the information received, in 2018 there were 21 salt importing companies that received a quota of industrial salt import approvals with a value of IDR 2.05 trillion without taking into account local salt stocks and available industrial salt stocks.

The importers then illegally diverted the allotment of industrial salt into consumption salt with a fairly high price ratio, resulting in losses for local salt farmers and losses for the state economy.

The article alleged in this case is primary Article 2 paragraph (1) subsidiary to Article 3 of Law (UU) Number 31 of 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.