The Attorney General’s Office is developing the investigation into the alleged corruption at PT Timah, with an alleged state loss of Rp 271 trillion (US$ 13.6 billion).
An expert, however, warned that the amount was not a result of an audit by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), which is constitutionally entitled to make calculations. The AGO calculation was more on the ecological losses incurred.
Executive Director of the Centre of Energy and Resources Indonesia (CERI), Yusri Usman, spoke to the media in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, that the Rp 271 trillion was the result of the calculation made by Forestry Professor at IPB University, Bambang Hero Saharjo, related to ecological losses observed through satellite imagery from 2015 to 2022.
Yusri doubted that ecological losses could reach IDR 271 trillion because every owner of a Production Operation Mining Bussines Permits (IUP), according to Government Regulation No. 96/2021 on the implementation of Mineral and Coal activities, is required to place a reclamation guarantee which is determined by Directorate General of Mineral and Coal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources which can be used by the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal to restore mine pits if the IUP owner does not carry out reclamation. Even this reclamation guarantee is also a requirement for the RKAB every year, so the question arises whether this is not fulfilled by the IUP owner with the approval of the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal officials, this is a disaster if it happens.
“In addition, losses due to environmental damage are different from state losses, as regulated in Articles 2 and 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law, so the public should not be given misleading information,” Yusri said when contacted.
Yusri added that the IPB University expert’s calculation should not necessarily be used by the AGO as the amount of alleged state losses. Constitutionally, BPK is more entitled to calculate the amount of state losses.
“Don’t play with this, because it concerns the dignity of 16 citizens who were made suspects and their families,” said Yusri.
According to Yusri, this is an inhumane way that seems to be just looking for sensation by mentioning fantastic numbers.
“Yes, I agree that we must support the complete eradication of corruption and not be selective, because this is an extraordinary crime that is still ingrained in our republic. But it must also be in a way that upholds human rights,” said Yusri.
Yusri expressed his concern that the way law enforcement officials seek sensation has become a pun in society.
He added that the authority of BPK as an examiner of state financial management and responsibility is contained in Article 23E of the 1945 Constitution and reaffirmed in Law No. 15/2006 on the BPK.
“So, as the highest examining institution, BPK must calculate state losses fairly, wisely, objectively and comprehensively on the alleged corruption of tin trading in PT Timah so that the public will not get confused,” Yusri said.
