Law Practitioner Amstrong Sembiring Also Highlights Corruption Case of Sandra Dewi's Husband, Mentions Suspected Money Laundering?

Kapanlagi.com - JJ Amstrong Sembiring, a legal practitioner and former candidate for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), stated that the authority of the Indonesian Supreme Audit Board (BPK RI) as an examiner of state financial management and responsibility is regulated in Article 23 E of the 1945 Constitution and further emphasized in Law No. 15 of 2006 concerning the BPK.

"Therefore, BPK, as the highest auditing institution, must calculate the state losses fairly, wisely, objectively, and comprehensively regarding the alleged corruption in the tin trade of IUP PT Timah Tbk," said JJ Amstrong Sembiring.

"Because until now, these calculations come from one of the expert witnesses of the investigators, an academic from the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Sciences at IPB University, Bambang Hero Saharjo, who stated that the tin case from 2015 to 2022 has caused losses of Rp 271,069,688,018,700. This amount consists of environmental losses (ecological) amounting to Rp 157,832,395,501,025, economic losses from the environment amounting to Rp 60,276,600,800,000, and environmental recovery costs amounting to Rp 5,257,249,726,025. In addition, there are also losses outside the forest area amounting to Rp 47,703,441,991,650," he added.

Amstrong also stated that the corruption case in PT Timah is like an iceberg phenomenon. The abuse of mining permits has not all been revealed. There is a high possibility that the same corruption modus operandi occurs in other mining companies.

"What is clear is that the alleged corruption case in PT Timah has shown how illegal mining practices, which should be under government supervision and law enforcement, instead receive a 'red carpet' to conduct their business," he said.

1. Regarding Money Laundering

Credit: Special

Amstrong stated that the most difficult thing in eradicating corruption in the natural resources sector is the weakness of the government's supervision system and the enforcement of the law itself, which tends to be pro-business.

As is known in general, there are several common methods in cases of corruption in natural resources. For example, bribes to pass improper permits, and the state's loss of revenue due to manipulation of natural resource production data, said Amstrong.

Regarding Sandra Dewi's status, who is suspected of using money from her husband's corruption, Amstrong Sembiring explains this.

"If the corruptor gives his assets or money from corruption to his wife and children. Then, the actions of the corruptor can be considered as suspected money laundering ("TPPU"), which is the process of someone hiding the existence, illegal source, or illegal use of income, and then disguising the income to make it appear legitimate," explained Amstrong.

2. Lack of Supervision

Credit: Istimewa

Amstrong said that the most difficult thing in combating corruption in the natural resources sector is the weak government supervision system and the enforcement of the law itself, which tends to be pro-business.

As is known in general, there are several common modes in cases of corruption in natural resources. For example, bribes to pass improper permits, and the state's loss of revenue due to manipulation of data on natural resource production, said Amstrong.

Regarding Sandra Dewi's status, who is suspected of using money from her husband's corruption, this is Amstrong Sembiring's explanation.

"If the corruptor gives assets or money from corruption to his wife and children, then the corruptor's actions can be considered as alleged money laundering ("TPPU"), which is the process of someone hiding the existence, illegal source, or illegal use of income, and then disguising the income to make it appear legitimate," explained Amstrong.

(kpl/glk)