Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday detained former CEO of state-owned gas company Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN), Hendi Prio Santoso, on allegations of accepting bribes linked to a gas sale-and-purchase deal with private distributor Inti Alasindo Energi.
KPK officials said Hendi, who led PGN from 2008 to 2017, became the third suspect in the case. He will be held for an initial 20 days, a period that could be extended as the investigation progresses.
Two other suspects – Iswan Ibrahim, a former commissioner of Inti Alasindo, and Danny Praditya, PGN's former commercial director – were detained on April 11.
The case dates back to 2017, when Inti Alasindo, a gas distribution company in East Java, was facing financial trouble and sought fresh funding. According to Asep Guntur Rahayu, KPK's deputy for enforcement, commissioner Iswan approached PGN to secure a gas sale agreement with an advance payment of $15 million.
Negotiations followed between Hendi and Inti Alasindo executives, during which they allegedly arranged favorable terms for PGN's gas purchase.
As part of the deal, Hendi reportedly received 500,000 Singapore dollars (around $370,000) from Inti Alasindo owner Arso Sadewo at his Jakarta office.
KPK has not yet released details on the financial losses incurred by the state.
"This investigation is ongoing, and the detention of Hendi Prio Santoso will help uncover the full scope of the case," Asep said at a press briefing.
PGN, now a subsidiary of state energy giant Pertamina, has not issued a public response regarding the arrest.