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Taxman’s indictment reveals possible link to tax boss
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Tax official Handang Soekarno (right) leaves the courtroom after the first hearing of his bribery trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Wednesday, April 12. Handang stands accused of accepting US$148,500 in bribes from businessman Ramapanicker Rajamohanan Nair. (Antara/Rosa Panggabean)
T
he first hearing in the trial of middle-ranking tax official Handang Soekarno on Wednesday heard that he reported to an adjutant of Director General of Taxation Ken Dwijugiasteadi prior to allegedly accepting bribes from a businessman.
The Jakarta Corruption Court heard that Handang sent a Whatsapp message to Andreas Setiawan, aka Gondres, Ken’s adjutant, before heading to the house of another defendant, businessman Ramapanicker Rajamohanan Nair, allegedly to accept the money on Nov. 21 last year.
“The defendant told Andreas through a Whatsapp message “I want to go to the Kemayoran area to pick up the printed invitations,” Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutor Ali Fikri said when reading out Handang’s indictment in court.
The term “printed invitations” was allegedly code used by Handang as a substitute for “money”.
Andreas replied that he was waiting on the fifth floor of the tax office.
Later in the evening, Andreas texted Handang and told him he had moved to Monty’s restaurant.
“I am sorry, I’ve moved to Monty’s to wait for bapak [him] there,” the prosecutor said, quoting Andreas’ Whatsapp message to Handang.
The word “bapak” is usually a reference to someone who is older than or superior to the speaker. However, KPK prosecutors did not reveal the identity of the man mentioned in the conversation.
KPK investigators arrested Handang and Nair right after the alleged transaction was made at Nair’s house.
Handang and Nair have been named suspects by the KPK for allegedly taking part in a US$148,500 bribe offered by the latter to help settle his company’s tax dues.
The case has also implicated President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s brother-in-law, Arif Budi Sulistyo. Arif allegedly played a role as a middleman in the case. He is also a witness in the case.
