Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office (AGO) confiscated hundreds of billions of rupiah in cash during a raid on the offices of CPO companies Palma and Asset Pacific in Menara Palma, Jakarta, on Wednesday.

The AGO has named Asset Pacific a suspect in a corruption case involving crude palm oil (CPO) export permits for the 2021-2022 period. Asset Pacific is the seventh corporate entity implicated in this case.

Abdul Qohar, Director of Special Crimes at the AGO, reported that the raid on Palma's office resulted in the seizure of Rp 63.7 billion. Additionally, from the Asset Pacific office, the AGO confiscated Rp 149.535 billion, SGD 12,514,200, USD 700,000, and 2,000 yen.

"The funds will serve as evidence in this case," he said.

In addition to Asset Pacific, the AGO has implicated Palma Satu, Siberida Subur, Banyu Bening Utama, Panca Agro Lestari, Kencana Amal Tani, and Darmex Plantations.

"These companies are suspected of unlawfully conducting palm oil plantation activities and managing palm oil on land located within forest areas in Indra Giri Hulu Regency, Riau Province," he explained.

This case is an extension of the investigation into Surya Darmadi and Raja Tamsir Rahman, the former Indra Giri Hulu regent.

The corruption case against Surya Darmadi began when Raja Tamsir Rachman, who served as regent from 1999 to 2008, issued location permits and plantation business permits (IUP) to four companies under the Duta Palma Group.

Raja Tamsir Rachman has been sentenced to seven years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of Rp 1 billion or serve an additional six months in prison.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) recently issued a letter to terminate the investigation (SP3) into allegations of bribery related to Surya Darmadi, due to a prior acquittal in the judicial review of former Legal Manager Suheri Terta last June.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/ago-seize-billions-in-cash-in-cpo-corruption-cas