Headline:
Justin: Timah Corruption Case: Government Loses Rp 300T, Including Rp 271T Environmental Damage
Article:
In a significant development in the long-running timah (tin) corruption case, the government has confirmed losses totaling Rp 300 trillion ($21.2 billion), including Rp 271 trillion in environmental damage. The gargantuan figure was revealed during the recent sentencing of three former Bangka-Belitung provincial heads of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).
The environmental damage, amounting to Rp 271 trillion, was calculated by expert witness Bambang Hero Saharjo, a professor at the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB). His estimates, which have now been validated by the courts, include:
- Biaya Kerugian Lingkungan (Eco-logical Damage): Rp 183.7 trillion
- Biaya Kerugian Ekonomi Lingkungan (Economic Environmental Damage): Rp 75.47 trillion
- Biaya Pemulihan Lingkungan (Environmental Restoration): Rp 11.88 trillion
Saharjo’s calculations were based on satellite imagery from 2015 to 2022, showing extensive land and environmental damage due to illegal mining by PT Timah in Bangka-Belitung. His findings were corroborated by laboratory tests on soil samples. The total damaged area covers approximately 170,363 hectares, both inside and outside protected forests.
The court finding echoes earlier assertions by the prosecution, which had stated that the environmental damage amounted to Rp 271 trillion. The prosecution had also detailed the methods and costs associated with the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining.
Independent expert Andi Kusuma, chairperson of the Local District Parent-Teacher Association (Perpat) Babel, took issue with Saharjo’s findings and his expertise. Kusuma reported Saharjo to the Bangka-Belitung Police, alleging that Saharjo had expressed reluctance to provide full details on the state’s losses during the trial.
However, Attorney General Harli Siregar defended Saharjo’s credibility. Siregar noted that Saharjo, as an expert in his field, provided testimony based on his knowledge and that the final calculations were made by state auditors. He also reiterated that the total state losses were indeed Rp 300 trillion, including the verified environmental damage of Rp 271 trillion.
The sentencing of the three former ESDM provincial heads marks a significant milestone in the timah corruption case. Each received fines and prison sentences ranging from 2 to 4 years, totaling Rp 250 million ($17,166) in fines. However, these penalties are mere drops in the ocean compared to the staggering state losses.
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