TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) found allegations of money laundering crimes committed by a company called PT Tradha. The company belongs to Kebumen regent Muhammad Yahya Fuad.
"This is the first money laundering investigation against corporate actors conducted by KPK," KPK deputy chief Laode Syarif said in a press conference here on Friday, May 18.
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The KPK suspects Yahya received five to seven percent of fees from the value of a project at the Kebumen District Government. KPK suspects Yahya to have received gratuities and project benefits amounting to Rp2.3 billion.
From the investigation, the KPK found reasons to suspect Yahya's participation in the procurement of projects in the Kebumen Regency, using the banners of five different companies.
"The goal is to disguise his identity so that it would appear as if PT Tradha joined the auctions," Laode said.
KPK, Laode said, suspects PT Tradha to have laundered money from 2016 to 2017 in order to win eight projects in Kebumen, with a total value of Rp51 billion.
The antigraft body also suspects PT Tradha to have received money from contractors, in return for a project worth Rp3 billion, which is then handed over as if it were a debt.
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Laode explained that the money acquired by PT Tradha from the projects was likely incorporated into the company’s financial statements. The money, he said, was channeled to Yahya to pay for his personal expenses.
KPK has been investigating PT Tradha since April 6, 2018. During the course of the investigation, PT Tradha has refunded Rp6.7 billion, sent to the KPK's account.
ALFAN HILMI
