Karen Becomes A Suspect, Procurement Of LNG At Pertamina Allegedly Not Studied And Reported To The Board Of Commissioners

Former Pertamina President Director Karen Agustiawan Arrested By KPK/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that the procurement of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by PT Pertamina (Persero) as an alternative to overcoming gas shortages in the country has not been studied. Karen Agustiawan, who at that time served as President Director of PT Pertamina, also did not report his decision to the board of commissioners.

This was conveyed by KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri when announcing Karen as a suspect in the procurement of LNG, Tuesday, September 19.

"GKK alias KA unilaterally immediately decided to enter into an agreement contract with the CCL company (Corpus Christi Liquefaction, not read out) the United States LLC without conducting a thorough study and analysis and not reporting to the Board of Commissioners of PT Pertamina Persero," said Firli at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

Firli revealed that the report should have been made because it would be brought to the General Meeting of Shareholders (GMS).

"So that GKK's actions alias KA did not get approval and approval from the government at that time," he said.

Because of his actions, Karen made state finances lose up to around 140 million United States dollars or Rp2.1 trillion. The reason is that this procurement of LNG cargo purchased from US CCL LLC companies is not absorbed in the domestic market.

"Which results in LNG cargo being oversupply and never entering Indonesian territory," said Firli.

"Due to oversupply conditions, it has a real impact that must be sold with a loss in the international market by PT Pertamina Persero," he continued.

In this case, Karen is 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 Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st of the Criminal Code.