Chairman of Darmex Foundation Designated as Suspect by Attorney General's Office in PT Duta Palma Corruption Case in Indragiri Hulu: A Detailed Account

Jakarta, January 3, 2025 – The Attorney General's Office (AGO) has designated one individual and two corporations as suspects in a corruption case involving PT Duta Palma Group in Indragiri Hulu Regency. The individual suspect is CD, serving as the President Director of PT Asset Pacific and Chairman of the Darmex Foundation. The corporate suspects are PT Alfa Ledo (AL) and PT Monterado Mas (MAS). 

Chronology of the Case:

The case traces back to actions taken by Drs. H. Raja Tamsir Rachman, who served as the Regent of Indragiri Hulu from 1999 to 2008. He is alleged to have illegally issued location permits and plantation business permits to subsidiaries of PT Darmex Plantations. Alongside Surya Darmadi, they are accused of involving several companies in palm oil plantation and processing activities within forested areas. The permits issued are suspected to have been falsified to gain personal benefits from controlling land that was previously designated as forest area.

The companies implicated in these activities include PT Banyu Bening Utama, PT Kencana Amal Tani, PT Bayas Biofuels, and PT Taluk Kuantan Perkasa. The palm oil products produced by these companies were subsequently processed into valuable commodities. The proceeds from these illicit activities are believed to have been channeled through various financial transactions, such as deposits, capital contributions, debt repayments, and the acquisition of assets both domestically and internationally, under the control of Cheryl Darmadi and Surya Darmadi.

The AGO suspects that these actions violate Articles 3, 4, or 5, paragraph (1) of Law No. 8 of 2010 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering. Evidence collected during the investigation includes witness testimonies, audit results from the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), environmental audit reports, and comprehensive digital forensic and financial analyses.

Seized evidence comprises 679 documents related to permits, dividend distributions, financial records, and other pertinent materials. Additionally, assets such as land, factories, buildings, ships, helicopters, and funds amounting to IDR 6.38 trillion, along with various foreign currencies, have been confiscated.

This case underscores the significant negative impact of corruption involving large corporations and local officials in the plantation sector. The AGO is committed to thoroughly investigating this case and taking firm action against those responsible for harming the state and causing environmental damage.

With the designation of suspects, both individuals and corporations, the AGO aims to resolve this case conclusively and deter those involved in corruption, particularly in the plantation and natural resource management sectors. The investigation is ongoing, and the AGO encourages the public to stay informed about further developments.

Student Coalition in Indragiri Hulu Demands Arrest of Former Regent Involved in PT Duta Palma Case

In a related development, a coalition of students from Indragiri Hulu, led by Field Coordinator Ismi, has called on the Attorney General's Office (AGO) and the Riau High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati Riau) to arrest and detain former Indragiri Hulu Regent, identified as YA, who is suspected of involvement in the PT Duta Palma corruption case in Indragiri Hulu Regency. 

The demonstration took place at the Kejati Riau office on Jalan Sudirman, Pekanbaru, on Friday afternoon, November 15, 2024, around 4:00 PM WIB, following the Asr prayer at the Almizan Mosque within the Kejati Riau complex. The protesters carried two large banners displaying photos of former Regent Raja Thamsir Rahman and Surya Darmadi, the head of PT Duta Palma. The demonstration was brief, with participants delivering their message and dispersing in an orderly manner without leaving any formal statements for the Kejati Riau authorities.

As reported since 2022, the AGO has examined former Indragiri Hulu Regent Yopi Arianto in connection with the PT Duta Palma case, investigating allegations of land encroachment by PT Duta Palma Group in Riau. The AGO has questioned Yopi Arianto, who served as Regent in 2011, regarding the investigation into alleged corruption in activities conducted by PT Duta Palma Group in Indragiri Hulu Regency, Riau. 

The student coalition's call for the arrest of former Regent YA highlights ongoing public concern and demands for accountability in the PT Duta Palma corruption case. (HR)