Dozens of Companies Allegedly Involved in Gold Import Scandal: AGO
Translator
Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor
Markus Wisnu Murti
Jumat, 8 Oktober 2021 15:30 WIB
The investigation director of the AGO's junior attorney general for special crimes, Supardi, talks to journalists at his office in South Jakarta, Tuesday, August 24, 2021. TEMPO/Andita Rahma
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) on Thursday suspected dozens of companies were involved in an alleged graft case of gold smuggling at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
The investigation director of the AGO's junior attorney general for special crimes, Supardi, at his office in South Jakarta on October 7 revealed that the companies ranged from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and private companies.
According to initial investigation reports, Supardi said the companies had allegedly intentionally evaded paying import tax and excise but he stopped short of speculating about the companies’ alleged law violation.
“Whether their acts are considered corruption or not will be revealed later,” said Supardi.
Suspicions about the alleged gold import corruption was first brought to light in a House of Representatives (DPR) hearing where Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) legislator Arteria Dahlan urged the Attorney General’s Office to investigate an alleged smuggling of gold bars from Singapore through Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
The legislator mentioned possible data manipulation in the gold imports, which cost the country up to Rp2.9 trillion in losses due to tax evasion.
