Despite its appreciation, ICW questions that the new suspect in the tin case is only an operator

The massive and long-standing illegal tin trading operation was certainly known to the government and authorities.

KOMPAS/NORBERTUS ARYA DWIANGGA MARTIAR

The Attorney General's Office named five suspects in the alleged illegal mining corruption case at PT Timah Tbk, (26/4/2024) in Jakarta.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Although as expected, the appointment of the head of the Energy and Mineral Resources Agency of the Bangka Belitung Province as a suspect in the alleged corruption case involving tin trade at PT Timah Tbk 2015-2022 is considered only at the operator level. Investigators are expected to pursue it to the highest person in charge of tin trade.

On Friday (26/4/2024), investigators Attorney General's Office named the former Head of the ESDM Service (Kadis) of Bangka Belitung Province and who is currently serving as a suspect. They are Suranto Wibowo (SW) as Head of ESDM Department for 2015-2019; Rusbani (BN) as Acting Head of Energy and Mineral Resources 2019; and Amir Syahbana (AS) as Acting Head of ESDM Department for 2020-2021 and current Head of ESDM Department.

Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher, Yassar Aulia, believes that the indictment of the three individuals as suspects is an answer after all this time investigators have only identified suspects from the private sector. This is because, looking at cases related to mineral resources, all of them involve elements of the government and law enforcement.

Also read: Five New Suspects Named, Three of them Head of Provincial ESDM Service

"We appreciate it. However, looking at the level or background of the suspects, it seems that they are still at the operator level and have not targeted those who have the biggest involvement. Moreover, because it concerns documents, of course, the approval is not at the level of operators," explained Yassar on Monday (29/4/2024).

We appreciate it. However, if we look at the level or background of the suspects, it seems that they are still at the operator level and have not yet targeted those who have the biggest involvement. Moreover, this concerns documents, so the approval is certainly not at the operator level.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Celebrities Sandra Dewi was questioned by the Attorney General's investigators in Jakarta on Thursday (4/4/2024). As the wife of Harvey Moeis, one of the suspects involved in the illegal tin mining corruption case within the mining license of PT Timah Tbk from 2015 to 2022, she was examined as a witness. In that case, Harvey facilitated illegal mining as an extension of PT Refined Bangka Tin.

Suranto Wibowo, Rusbani, and Amir Syahbana are suspected of illegally issuing the Work Plan Budget and Cost Agreement (RKAB) to 5 tin refining and processing companies (smelters), namely PT Tinindo Inter Nusa, PT Stanindo Inti Perkasa, PT Refined Bangka Tin, CV Venus Inti Perkasa, and PT Sariwiguna Bina Sentosa. However, the RKAB did not meet the requirements.

The three suspects are also suspected of knowing that the Mining Work Plan (RKAB) was not used for mining at the location of their respective mining business permits (IUP), but only to legalize the sale of tin obtained illegally from the IUP of PT Timah Tbk.

Not without reason

According to Yassar, the suspicion of other higher parties to be held accountable is not without reason. In addition to extensive and long-standing illegal mining operations, there is also allegedly document manipulation such as the RKAB approval that does not meet the requirements.

The suspicion that there are higher authorities to be held accountable is not without reason. In addition to the widespread and long-standing illegal mining operations, there are also suspicions of document manipulation such as the inefficiently regulated RKAB approval.

Looking at the legal process to date, Yassar still believes that investigators will be able to reveal the parties most responsible in this case. Because, investigators can determine the beneficial owner (beneficial owner) in this case, such as Hendry Lie as the beneficial owner of PT Tinindo Inter Nusa and his younger brother, Fandy Lingga, as the marketing officer of PT Tinindo Inter Nusa. This is considered positive because usually the beneficial owners are not listed in the company's organizational structure and are rarely touched if financial crimes occur.

KOMPAS

Revealing the "Head" of the Illegal Tin Mining Case

It's definitely not just this person (suspect) that we see at operator level.

"It must not be limited to just this person (the suspect) that we see still at the operator level. Many factors that are impossible not to be known by the state, including those who hold strategic positions," he said.

Regarding the possibility of involvement of higher officials than the Head of the Energy and Mineral Resources Agency of Bangka Belitung Province, including officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Investigation of the Attorney General's Office, Kuntadi, stated that they are not turning a blind eye to it. "Regarding the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, of course, if there is urgency, we will definitely conduct an examination," said Kuntadi.

Also read: Illegal Tin Mining is Still Active because "Collectors" Are Loitering

Similarly, regarding the Mining Work Plan (RKAB) that also requires the approval of the local head, namely the Governor of Bangka Belitung, Kuntadi ensures that it remains open as long as there is a connection. "We will definitely request clarification because we want this matter to be revealed clearly and perfectly," said Kuntadi.

If last Friday investigators questioned officials in the ESDM Department of Bangka Belitung Province, on Monday they questioned five private sector witnesses. They are MRZ as Director of CV Semar Jaya Perkasa; ARM as Head of Mining Engineering at PT Menara Cipta Mulia; SYN as Power of Attorney Director of CV Mega Belitung; YF as Employee of CV Mutiara Alam Lestari; and YS alias YGW as a private individual.