Bareskrim Names BPOM Staff as Suspects in Blackmail of PT AOBI CEO
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13 August 2024 19:22 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Police Criminal Investigation Department or Bareskrim has named SD, an employee of the Food and Drug Inspection Agency (BPOM), as a suspect in the alleged extortion and gratification of PT AOBI director Ficktor Kusumareja.
"The total amount is Rp3.49 billion," said Sr. Comr. Arief Adiharsa, Bareskrim's deputy director for corruption crimes, said in an official statement obtained by Tempo on Monday, August 12.
The SD was named as a suspect in extortion and gratification following the results of the June 24 hearing. Arief said BPOM had also conducted an investigation and sanctioned SD for breach of discipline by demoting him from the position of POM Bandung chief to executive at the POM headquarters in Tarakan.
Plan to Overthrow BPOM Chief
According to Arief, one of the goals of the extortion was to oust the head of BPOM, Penny Lukito. Arief said the money given by FK to SD included Rp1 billion for the removal of the BPOM chief, Rp967 million transferred to SD through another account in DK's name, Rp1.178 billion transferred to SD's account, and Rp350 million in cash to handle the trial of PT AOBI by BPOM.
The suspect is charged under Article 12 letter (e) and/or Article 12 B of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 on the Amendments to Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes in conjunction with Article 64 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.
"Investigators have questioned two experts, a criminal expert, and a linguist, 28 witnesses including 17 from BPOM, eight from the private sector, three witnesses from an agency other than BPOM, namely the Corruption Eradication Commission, and two witnesses from the banking sector," he said. He said investigators had also seized Rp1.3 billion in cash and 65 other documents.
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