KPK: Jero Wacik's Testimony is Crucial to SKKMigas Case
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik was questioned as a witness in the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) investigation into graft at oil and gas regulator SKKMigas. (EPA Photo/Bagus Indahono)
The Corruption Eradication Commission said on Monday that testimony from Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik was crucial to solve the graft case against case against former SKKMigas head Rudi Rubiandini.
"In this interrogation Jero Wacik serves as a witness for Rudi Rubiandini, and his testimony is much needed to find out more about the involvement of some lawmakers," Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief Abraham Samad said on Monday.
KPK deputy chief Busyro Muqoddas said the antigraft body would not name Jero a suspect immediately: "It is very unlikely [he will be named a suspect] right after the first summons."
Jero arrived at the KPK office on Monday morning to be questioned for the first time.
The energy minister's alleged involvement in the investigation has been controversial from the start. Two executives with the Singapore-based Kernel Oil were arrested in August in a corruption sting conducted by the KPK.
The scandal, which further stains the reputation of the country's already murky oil and gas industry, brought down the head of Indonesia's newly created regulatory body SKKMigas before the KPK's investigation spread to the ministry.
Rudi stands accused of accepting more than $1 million in bribes from Kernel Oil to facilitate the company's entrance into the nation's oil industry.
But the tender process is controlled by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, not SKKMigas.
Antigraft agents seized a bag containing $200,000 in cash from the office of the ministry's secretary general, Waryono Karno, in August. A travel ban was issued a short time later as the KPK pored over his financial reports, investigating his substantial wealth.
Waryono, a former businessman, is allegedly worth more than Rp 41.9 billion ($3.9 million). He used to serve as a commissioner at state-run tin miner Timah before moving on to the energy ministry.
The KPK is now looking into whether some of the funds handed to Rudi were later disseminated to other parties.
Both Jero and Waryono declined to speak at length with the press, explaining that they would have more to say once the questioning was complete.
Four people, including two directors of Kernel Oil, have been charged in connection with the case.
Kernel Oil denied involvement in the scandal, despite a prior statement by the executive's attorney admitting culpability. Instead, the attorney said he was mistaken in explaining that the two businessmen were attempting to bribe Rudi.
The funds, which totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars, allegedly belonged to a well-connected golf pro, Deviardi, currently charged as a bagman in the case.
It is unknown how he could amass such a fortune, but Deviardi, according to attorneys, was reportedly worried enough to pass the funds to Widodo Ratanachaithong, a director of Kernel Oil, in an attempt to circumvent the scrutiny of customs officials in Jakarta.
The golf pro testified last week that Widodo had ties in President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's ruling Democratic Party — including access to the president's son Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono.
Edhie has denied the accusations, saying "anyone can drop my name, but in a legal context it should be clearly differentiated what information can be classified as legal facts, political rumor or defamation."
Rudi testified at the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday that lawmaker Tri Yulianto, a member of House Commission VII, which oversees energy and mineral resources, would often ask him for funds for so-called Idul Fitri allowances, or bribes ahead of the holiday.
When he asked for the bribes, Tri claimed he intended to distribute the money to other Commission VII members, Rudi said in his testimony.
The KPK said it would further investigate the allegations, including asking Widodo to appear for questioning. The antigraft body has twice asked the Kernel Oil executive to respond to questions and twice he has ignored it.
Since Widodo is a Singapore citizen, the KPK cannot force him to be questioned, spokesman Johan Budi said. The agency is considering working with Singaporean officials to obtain a statement.
Widodo has maintained his innocence, calling into tvOne's popular "Indonesia Lawyers Club" show to claim that he was tricked by Rudi.
"After the news broke I realized that we had been manipulated by [Rudi] and his affiliate," Widodo said over the phone. "Both Kernel Oil in Singapore and I are innocent of the allegation."
Deviardi, in his court testimony, said he was handed hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes by an assistant of Widodo and told to deliver the funds to Rudi.
"Widodo told me that he had met Rudi and asked him how to win the tender for the company," Deviardi said.
Rudi then used much of the money to cover the purchase of automobiles, property and a downpayment on a wedding.
"The money [was used] to buy a [Toyota] Camry, a Volvo, to pay for a plot of land and also for a downpayment for Rudi's child's wedding," he said.
"There was also cash given to his children."
"I wrote it all in my notebook. I have handed it over to the KPK."
Rudi previously stated he was frequently asked to wire some "holiday allowance" money to lawmakers. One of the names being mentioned was a senior Democrat, Sutan Bhatoegana.
KPK issued a travel ban against a member of Sutan's staff, Irianto Muchyi, on Friday. Sutan has admitted that Irianto was on his staff but claimed he did not know anything about the case.
Previously, KPK has also slapped a travel ban on Jero's assistant, I. Gusti Putu Ade Pranjayam. Jero said the travel ban against his assistant did not necessarily mean he was guilty.
Jero's questioning by the KPK is considered to be another unwelcome spotlight on Yudhoyono's Democrats. Jero is an influential member of the president's inner circle and key party strategist.
However, the Democrats have repeatedly denied links between Rudi's case and some of its most prominent members.
Democratic Party faction chairwoman Nurhayati Ali Assegaf said her party has repeatedly stated its commitment to fight corruption in the country.
Although a number of high-profile Democratic Party politicians are alleged to be linked to the SKKMigas case, Nurhayati said she believed that members of other parties were involved in the graft case too.
The KPK seized assets owned by Rudi — including cash and a house in Tebet, South Jakarta — as it prepared to hand the case over to the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court.
Rudi faces 20 years in prison and fines of up to Rp 1 billion if convicted.
The KPK has operated under the direction of the anti-money laundering law in recent months, compiling a Rp 200 billion list of assets owned by Gen. Djoko Susilo, a corrupt police chief, and filing charges against former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Akil Mochtar.
The KPK has utilized the law significantly in recent months due to the number of graft cases that have emerged, especially among prominent officials.
The little-used law, which is being used against Rudi, will allow the KPK to track down Rudi's assets, providing a clearer picture of the level of alleged graft.
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