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civil servant at the Batam municipality in Riau Islands with a questionable bank balance of Rp 1.3 trillion (US$110.37 million), allegedly linked to fuel smuggling, is still working as usual.

The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) previously announced that the funds originated from an oil smuggling transaction that was paid in cash in the form of Singaporean dollars.

Batam municipal spokesman Ardiwinata told The Jakarta Post on Monday that the case had not yet been followed up, despite being disclosed by the PPATK in April this year.

He said that based on Government Regulation No. 54/2010 on civil servants, his office could not impose sanctions against the civil servant in question, identified only as N.

'€œWe are waiting for legal processes, which we have learned will be handled by the police. However, there has not been any development over the past couple of months. The party in question is still working as usual,'€ said Ardiwinata.

According to Ardiwinata, the inspectorate overseeing the performance of civil servants within the municipality is still waiting for steps to be carried out by law enforcers. However, the process remains unclear.

Based on information gathered by the Post, N is the younger brother of an oil transportation entrepreneur, and has allegedly carried out fuel smuggling activities for a significant period of time.

An oil smuggling case in which the tanker MT Jelita Bangsa, which was chartered by state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina, transferred oil to another tanker, the MT Ocean Maju, and was intercepted by the Riau Islands Customs and Excise Directorate General on June 3, involved the elder brother of N.

Authorities handling the case involving the two tankers have refused to reveal the identity of the mastermind of the plan, although N is reported to have been involved.

Earlier, customs officers on duty at the Batam Center Ferry Terminal managed to prevent Singaporean citizen Zulkiflie bin Rafien, 40, from entering Batam in possession of S$500,000 ($399,968) on April 17.

PPATK said the cash carried by the Singaporean was related to the bank balance of the civil servant.

'€œIn line with regulations, we imposed a fine of Rp 300 million, or 10 percent of the amount of cash he brought into Batam,'€ Batam Customs Office spokesman Susila said recently.

He added that the Singaporean citizen was then released and allowed to enter Batam. The Batam Customs Office reported the matter to the PPATK for investigation.

Meanwhile, anti-corruption activists in Batam have urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to take over the case as it has yet to be processed.

'€œWe urge the KPK to take over the case because, compared to the case involving Labora Sitorus in Papua, the case has yet to be investigated,'€ said Novrizal from the Anti 86 Discussion Group, referring to police chief Adj. First. Insp. Labora Sitorus in Papua who was sentenced to two years in prison in February this year.

Sitorus, who was reported by the PPATK for having a total of Rp 1.5 trillion in his bank accounts, was found guilty of fuel stockpiling and illegal logging.

In the civil servant case, speculation has arisen that funds from the account have been channeled to high-ranking law enforcers.

'€œThis has caused speculation as to whether or not the funds have been channeled to officials from law enforcement agencies previously serving in Riau Islands who have now become top officials in Jakarta,'€ Batam City Council Commission II chairman Yudi Kurnain said.