Nurul Fitri Ramadhani, Jakarta – The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) has identified suspicious transfers of funds from Indonesia to Singapore and the UK in connection with the graft-ridden purchase of a VVIP helicopter from Italian-British manufacturer AgustaWestland.
PPATK chairman Kiagus Ahmad Badaruddin revealed on Wednesday that the dubious transaction, worth Rp 340 billion (US$24.6 million), was conducted by military equipment supplier Diratama Jaya Mandiri.
"The transfer [of funds] to Singapore was [related] to a company affiliated with the supplier," Kiagus said in a hearing with House of Representatives Commission III, which oversees human rights, security and legal affairs.
The director of Diratama Jaya Mandiri and three Air Force personnel were named graft suspects in a criminal investigation into the procurement last year. The value of the procurement project was allegedly inflated from Rp 524 billion to Rp 738 billion.
The PPATK has reported its findings to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Indonesian Military (TNI).
Kiagus said he could not reveal details about the specific parties in Singapore and the UK that received the money.
"That should be checked first by our authorities. We have told [the KPK] about the transaction to those countries. Let them check and investigate," Kiagus said. (ahw)