Gayus’ ex-boss stands trial in tax fraud case

JAKARTA: Maruli Pandapotan Manurung, a former superior of graft suspect Gayus Tambunan, stood trial Tuesday for allegedly colluding with a company to help it evade paying tax.

Prosecutors at the South Jakarta District Court accused Maruli of manipulating a tax objection filed by PT Surya Alam Tunggal (SAT), a shrimp-processing company in Sidoarjo, East Java in 2007.

“The defendant, along with his colleagues at the tax office, namely Gayus Tambunan, Humala Setia Napitupulu, Johnny Marihot

Tobing and Bambang Heru Ismiarso, have [committed corruption] that caused Rp 571 million [US$63,950] in state losses,” prosecutor Rhein Singal told the hearing.

Gayus and Humala have been indicted but Johnny and Bambang remain free.

The prosecution did not mention PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) as one of the companies whose taxes Maruli helped manipulate.

According to Gayus, Maruli’s illicit actions in the tax office were related to KPC, partly owned by Bakrie Group, which had a dispute with the tax office in 2008. — JP