KPK and police cooperate to probe Pelindo II

JAKARTA. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and National Police’s detective division (Bareskrim) are cooperating to investigate alleged inappropriate management within the state-owned port operator Pelindo II.

After a meeting between representatives of the two institutions, acting KPK commissioner Johan Budi SP said that the agreement between the KPK and Bareskrim included an exchange of information about the case.

But Johan refused to explain the details of the cooperation taking place between the two law enforcement institutions. "There are several things that cannot be revealed here because they are related to evidence," Johan said.

In August last year, Pelindo II signed a contract with Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), renewing HPH's rights to operate the PT Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) for another 20 years. HPH's concession to operate JICT, which is a joint venture between Pelindo II and HPH established in 1999, will end in 2019.

Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan had urged Pelindo II to cancel the new contract because it had not secured permission from the ministry.

The National Police’s investigation into the alleged graft case in Pelindo II started when the National Police’s detective division was still being led by Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso. The police raided the Pelindo II headquarters in Tanjung Priok a few months ago.

Johan said the two institutions could cooperate in investigating other cases.

Bareskrim chief Comr. Gen. Anang Iskandar said that although the two institutions have exchanged information about the case, their investigations were being carried out separately.

"We are still investigating the Pelindo II case. I need to stress that the KPK and Bareskrim are working on different cases," Johan told reporters on Thursday at the KPK headquarters.

Unlike the KPK, whose investigation is still in its preliminary stages, Bareskrim have already been investigating the case for a while, but Anang said that the police had not named any suspects because the investigation is still taking place. (Erika Anindita)