Indonesia launches corruption case over palm oil exports

Date:

Jakarta (Reuters) – Indonesian authorities have opened a corruption case linked to the issuance of palm oil export permits, naming four suspects including a trade ministry official and palm oil company executives, the attorney general said on Tuesday.

The move comes as the government in Indonesia, which is the world’s top palm oil producer, has faced pressure to control soaring cooking oil prices. Authorities between late January and the middle of March restricted exports of palm oil and its derivatives, requiring companies to meet demand at home before they were allowed to export.

“We have conducted an investigation and have found strong indications of the criminal offence of corruption relating to the issuance of export permits for palm oil,” Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin said in a televised statement.

There was evidence export permits had been issued for companies that had not yet met the requirements to meet local supply, he said.

The attorney general only gave the initials of the suspects but said they included a director general of international trade at the trade ministry and officials at three companies – Permata Hijau Group, PT Wilmar Nabati Indonesia and Musim Mas.

Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi in a statement said his ministry supported the ongoing legal process.

“The Trade Ministry also stands ready to provide any information needed in the law enforcement process,” he said.

Representatives for Wilmar and Musim Mas declined to give an immediate comment, while Pertama Hijau did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Share post:

Popular

Recent
Related

Israel bombards southern Gaza as residents fear new ground offensive

Gaza (Reuters) - Israeli war planes and artillery bombarded...

Mossad team in Qatar to discuss restarting Gaza truce, source says

Doha (Reuters) - A team from Israel's Mossad intelligence...

France’s Macron says he is going to Qatar to work on new Gaza truce

Dubai (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on...

Kashmiri students arrested for celebrating India’s Cricket World Cup defeat get bail

Srinagar (Reuters) - An Indian court has granted bail...