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Kutai Kartanegara regent implicated in plantation permit bribery case: KPK
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Deputy chairperson of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Basaria Panjaitan (left) and spokesman Febri Diansyah give a press conference on the bribery and gratuity case that implicates Kutai Kartanegara regent Rita Widyasari at the headquarters of the KPK in Jakarta on Thursday. (Antara/Aprilio Akbar)
T
he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed that East Kalimantan’s Kutai Kartanegara regent Rita Widyasari may have received bribes related to a grant permit for a plantation project in the regency.
Rita, who was named a suspect on Tuesday, allegedly received bribes amounting to Rp 6 billion (US$444,000) from businessman Hery Susanto Gun, the president director of PT Sawit Golden Prima, for a plantation location permit, KPK commissioner Basaria Panjaitan said on Thursday.
“Hery allegedly gave money amounting to Rp 6 billion (US$444,000) to Rita as a kickback fee for the latter’s permit for a oil palm plantation for PT Sawit Golden Prima,” she said.
Besides Rita and Hery, the KPK has also named Khairudin, the commissioner of PT Media Bangun Bersama, a suspect.
The KPK allege that Rita and Khairudin accepted US$775,000 in gratuities related to several projects in Kutai Kartanegara.
Khairudin was reportedly part of “Team 11”, a special team formed by the regent to arrange permits for projects in the regency, Basaria added.
Investigators will charge Hery for allegedly giving bribes to Rita.
During a raid in Kutai Kertanegara, KPK investigators confiscated four luxury cars allegedly owned by Rita under another person’s name.
“The team of investigators also seized documents of financial transactions allegedly related to the gratuities, as well as documents and permits for the company’s palm oil plantation,” Basaria said. (rin)
