Headline: KPK Quizzes Ahok in LNG Corruption Case; USD 337 Million Potentially Lost
Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has interrogated former President Director of Pertamina, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (BTP) alias Ahok, as a witness in the suspected corruption case involving liquefied natural gas (LNG) procurement. The KPK is investigating the potential state losses in this case through Ahok.
"BTP is being investigated in relation to the state losses suffered by Pertamina in 2020, with a potential loss of USD 337 million due to LNG contracts held by Pertamina," said KPK Spokesman Tessa Mahardhika. The amount of USD 337 million is equivalent to Rp 5.4 trillion. The KPK is also investigating Ahok’s role in the request by the Board of Commissioners (BOC) to the board of directors to examine six LNG contracts.
In addition to Ahok, six other suspects were also interrogated by the KPK on Wednesday (9/1), involving:
- PT Pertamina Gas Secretary Director in 2012, Sulistia, suspected of forgery of the Minutes of the Board of Directors (M&D) in determining the purchase of LNG imports from the US.
- Director of Refining at Pertamina from April 12, 2012 to November 2014, Chrisna Damayanto, suspected of planning LNG needs for the refinery.
- Corporate Strategic Manager at PT Pertamina Power (Persero), Ellya Susilawati, suspected of violating the mechanism for LNG purchases.
- Business Development Manager at PT Pertamina from November 14, 2013 to December 13, 2015, Edwin Irwanto Widjaja, suspected of not providing a study on LNG procurement to the Investment and Risk Management Directorate (PIMR).
- VP Treasury at PT Pertamina from August 2022, Dody Setiawan, suspected of transactions involving LNG sales.
- Senior Vice President (SVP) Gas at PT Pertamina (Persero) in 2011 until June 2012, Nanang Untung, suspected of planning the LNG procurement process in 2012.
Previously, the KPK had designated former Pertamina President Director, Karen Agustiawan, as a suspect in this case. Karen was also sentenced to 9 years in prison and a fine of Rp 500 million.
The judge ruled that Karen was guilty of violating Article 2 paragraph (1) of the Anti-Corruption Law, combined with Article 55 paragraph (1) point 1 of the Criminal Code, combined with Article 64 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code. Despite this, the judge did not impose a state loss penalty on Karen. Instead, the judge ordered the company from the United States (US), Corpus Christi Liquefaction LLC, to pay the penalty.
Karen has filed an appeal, but the sentence remains unchanged. She has now filed a cassation to the Supreme Court (MA).
KPK is currently developing this case and has identified a new suspect.
Ahok was interrogated on Thursday (10/1). After being interrogated for about an hour, Ahok stated that he had only confirmed his previous statements.
