Riau-1 PLTU; Eni Saragih Talks about Meeting in Airlangga`s House

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The former deputy chief of Energy Commission at the House of Representatives (DPR), Eni Saragih, has spoken about the meeting regarding power plant projects in the residence of Golkar party chairman Airlangga Hartarto. 

Eni mentioned that ex-shareholder of Blackgold Natural Resources Ltd Johannes Budi Sutrisno Kotjo, Golkar secretary-general Idrus Marham, and Golkar faction chairman Melchias Markus Mekeng attended the meeting.

“Yes, we came to Pak Airlangga Hartarto's house. I, Pak Kotjo, Pak Idrus Marham, and Pak Mekeng presented there,” Eni testified in the trial of Riau-1 PLTU bribe case for the suspect Johannes Kotjo in Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday, October 11.

Read: Golkar Party Appoints Replacement of Eni Saragih

According to Eni, Kotjo in the meeting explained the project of Riau-1 PLTU, Riau-2 PLTU, and PLTU Tanjung Jati to Airlangga, Mekeng, and Idrus.

Kotjo planned to take over PLTU Tanjung Jati in Jepara, Central Java and collaborate with China Huadian. “The defendant [Kotjo] said it was the project that would quickly produce money to fund the legislative and presidential election and others,” she added.

In the investigation report (BAP) on Eni read by Kotjo’s attorney, Eni said Kotjo considered Tanjung Jati project had the potential to bring money for Golkar party.

Eni testified Airlangga interested to the offer. Airlangga would help Kotjo to manage the project by appointing Eni as the deputy speaker of DPR Energy Commission that partnered with state electricity company PLN.

Airlangga, meanwhile, denied the allegation that he ordered Eni Saragih to overlook the power plant project. He said the appointment of Eni in the DPR was based on the party’s deliberation and mechanism.

“I do not order my cadre to seek money in an illegal way or by violating the law for the interest of Golkar Party,” said Airlangga in last September.

M ROSSENO AJI