After being named as suspect in a trans-national bribery case involving British automaker Rolls-Royce last week, MatahariMall Chairman spoke up about the allegation that is reported to have happened during his tenure as CEO of flag carrier Garuda Indonesia.
“As far as I am aware of, during my time as CEO of Garuda Indonesia, I have never done corruptive[sic] actions. Neither have I accepted anything related to my designation,” he told CNN Indonesia on Friday, January 20.
However, Satar stated that he “remain committed” to respect the legal process and to assist the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in their investigation process.
Responding to Satar’s statement, KPK spokesperson Febri Diansyah said that the institution respected the suspect’s statement of his innocence.
“If there is any evidence to support the argumentation, then please go ahead,” he said.
The spokesperson also explained that KPK is currently digging deeper into the involvement of Satar and Soetikno Soedarjo, who was reported to be the middleman between Garuda Indonesia and Rolls-Royce.
The UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) previously stated that Rolls-Royce have given up to US$2.5 million and a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit car to “an individual” in Garuda Indonesia. However, KPK found no evidence of Satar having had received such car.
Instead, KPK stated that Satar is believed to have received EUR1.2 million (US$1.2 million) cash, another US$108,000 cash, and US$2 million-worth of goods in Singapore and Indonesia from Soedarjo. He is also believed to have received a gift in form of a condominium in Singapore.
KPK Deputy Chief Laode Muhammad Syarief also opened up the possibility that the case will develop into a money laundering probe.
“This is not a stand-alone crime. Certainly during our investigation development process, there is a possibility that it has led to money laundering,” he stated.
KPK is working closely with SFO and Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to investigate the possibility.
Syarief also stated that the institutions had frozen Satar’s bank account in Singapore.
