ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia has stunned the global stage after President Prabowo Subianto announced the successful recovery of $830 million in cash (equivalent to Rp13.25 trillion) from one of the nation’s largest corruption scandals involving crude palm oil (CPO) exports.
The recovered funds were officially handed over by the Attorney General’s Office to the Ministry of Finance during a high-profile ceremony at the Attorney General’s Office Complex in Jakarta on Monday, witnessed directly by President Prabowo.
A Historic Moment in Anti-Corruption Efforts
In his remarks, President Prabowo hailed the recovery as a historic milestone in Indonesia’s fight against corruption and economic crime, underscoring his administration’s mission to build a clean, just, and sovereign government.
“I express my highest appreciation to all law enforcement officers, especially the Attorney General’s Office, for their relentless efforts in fighting corruption, manipulation, and abuse of power,” Prabowo declared.
Attorney General ST Burhanuddin revealed that total state losses from the CPO export corruption case reached $1.07 billion (Rp17 trillion), of which $830 million in cash has already been returned to the state treasury. The remaining $240 million (Rp4.4 trillion) will be settled through a deferred payment scheme guaranteed by corporate assets.
Funds to Support Public Welfare Projects
President Prabowo emphasized that the recovered cash will directly support public welfare initiatives, including school renovations and the development of modern fishing villages across Indonesia.
“With $830 million, we can renovate over 8,000 schools and build 600 modern fishing villages. This is state money — it must serve the people through the government,” Prabowo stated firmly.
The government targets the establishment of 1,100 modern fishing villages by the end of 2026, each with an investment of approximately $1.4 million (Rp22 billion).
Justice with Integrity and Humanity
Prabowo also urged law enforcement institutions to maintain justice rooted in conscience, fairness, and compassion, stressing that justice must not be “sharp toward the weak but blunt toward the powerful.”
“Law enforcement must have a heart. Never wrong the poor. Justice must be guided by humanity, not fear,” he emphasized.
He also issued a stern warning to business elites:
“If greedy corporations think they can continue deceiving this nation, they are wrong. Indonesia is strong, sovereign, and ready to defend its people,” Prabowo asserted.
Crackdown on the Economic Mafia
In his address, the President also exposed the activities of economic mafias operating in Indonesia’s natural resource sectors — including illegal mining, tin smuggling, and invoice manipulation — that have caused massive financial losses to the state.
“Illegal practices such as smuggling and under-invoicing have cost us about $2.5 billion annually (Rp40 trillion) for almost 20 years. That’s around $53 billion (Rp800 trillion) in total losses. This must stop,” Prabowo said.
The return of $830 million in cash to the state stands as a powerful testament to the Prabowo-Gibran administration’s resolve to build a transparent, law-abiding, and people-centered government.
“Indonesia is a wealthy nation. If managed with integrity and courage, no one can stop our progress,” President Prabowo concluded.
The ceremony was attended by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces General Agus Subianto, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and Head of BPKP Muhammad Yusuf Ateh. (AT Network)
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