Palembang, KOTABARI.COM â The Special Criminal Investigation Prosecutor’s Office (Pidsus) of the South Sumatra High Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati) has identified two new suspects in the alleged corruption case involving the acquisition of shares in PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) subsidiary companies. The incident, which is suspected to have caused losses of up to Rp 100 billion to the state, has escalated further with the detention of these two new suspects on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
The two suspects have been identified as Milawarma, the former CEO of PT Bukit Asam Tbk during the 2011-2016 period, and Nurtima Tobing, the Deputy Head of the acquisition team responsible for acquiring shares in PT Satria Bahana Sarana (SBS) by PT Bukit Asam Tbk through its subsidiary, PT Bukit Asam Investama (BMI).
“In this case, the investigators have officially identified two new suspects related to the alleged corruption in the acquisition of shares in PTBA’s subsidiary companies,” stated Vanny Yulia Eka Sari SH MH, the Head of Public Relations at Kejati Sumsel, alongside Khaidirman SH MH, the Head of Criminal Investigation at Kejati Sumsel, and Dr. Noerdin SH MH, the Coordinator of Pidsus at Kejati Sumsel.
Vanny explained that both suspects have been immediately detained to facilitate further investigation. Milawarma has been held at the Pakjo Palembang Detention Center, while Nurtima Tobing has been detained at the Women’s Penitentiary in Palembang.
With these detentions, a total of 5 individuals have been implicated in the investigation of this corruption case. “Similar to the previous three suspects, these two new suspects are charged under Article 2 paragraph (1) or Subsidiary Article 3 Jo Article 18 of Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning corruption Jo Article 55 paragraph (1) subsection 1 of the Criminal Code concerning Corruption Crimes,” explained Vanny.
Despite having 5 suspects identified, Kejati Sumsel asserted that the investigation is still ongoing, involving further in-depth examination of the case materials and gathering statements from several witnesses.
To recap, the alleged corruption case related to the acquisition of shares in PTBA’s subsidiary companies has resulted in potential state losses of Rp 100 billion. Previously, Kejati Sumsel had named three suspects: Anung Dri Prasetya, the former Business Director of PT Bukit Asam Tbk, and Syaiful Islam, the Head of the PT Bukit Asam Tbk Mining Acquisition Team. Additionally, another suspect, Tjahyono Imawan, the former Director of PT Satria Bahana Sarana (SBS), was also named in connection to this case.
All suspects, including the two new ones, have been remanded to the Tipikor Pakjo Palembang Detention Center for further investigation purposes. The modus operandi employed by the suspects involves their alleged complicity in the acquisition process of PT Bukit Asam Tbk shares in PT Satria Bahana Sarana (SBS), which was deemed inadequate due to the condition of PT SBS and suspicions of violating proper acquisition procedures.