TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Around 100 Jakarta Police officers conudcted a thorough search in the Trade Ministry Building on Jl. Ridwan Rais in Central Jakarta, which reportedly is related to an investigation into an alleged corruption and money laundering.
"Currently, I decline to provide any information relating to the raid," said the Director for Criminal Investigation for Jakarta Police, Sr. Comr. Krishna Murti, in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 28, 2015. "Further information will be provided by Jakarta Police Chief on a later date."
Police officers entered the Trade Ministry's Complex at 15:30 PM Western Indonesia Time. Scores of squad cars were spotted parked at the Trade Ministry's parking lot, from which dozens of officers disembarked and immediately entered the Ministry's main building, while others stood guard around the complex.
Reportedly, the raid is related to export and import permits issued by the Directorate General for Foreign Trade, whose office is located on the ninth floor at the Ministry's main building. Afterwards, police officers moved to raid the Annex building located behind the main building - which houses the Director of Imports' office.
Officials from the Trade Ministry have yet to comment on the raid. Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel is currently accompanying President Joko Widodo on a state visit to Singapore, while the Director General for Foreign Trade Partogi Pangaribuan is currently in the United States (US).
PINGIT ARIA