"For the purpose of the investigation, suspect RAT will be detained for 20 days, starting from March 3, 2023, to March 23, 2023, at the KPK prison facility in (KPK's) Merah-Putih Building (in Jakarta)," KPK head Firli Bahuri informed here on Monday.
He disclosed that RAT's alleged irregularities began from the time of his induction in 2005 as a civil state apparatus investigator (PPNS) authorized to probe taxation findings on taxpayers who had potentially violated the law.
In 2011, RAT was appointed as head of the tax examination, investigation, and collection department of DJP's East Java I regional office. During his tenure, RAT is suspected to have abused his position by receiving gratifications from several taxpayers in lieu of overlooking their taxation-related discrepancies, Bahuri said.
Investigators have also found preliminary evidence of cash gratification received by RAT amounting to US$90 thousand through an intermediary, he added.
KPK investigators will continue their probe and soon summon the relevant parties to trace the cash flow, he said.
Investigators have also seized a safe deposit box from a bank containing Rp32.2 billion (US$2.1 million) in cash in US dollars, Singaporean dollars, and euros, and conducted a search at RAT's house in South Jakarta.
"During the search, we found wallets, belts, wristwatches, bags, jewelry, bicycle, and rupiahs in cash," Bahuri disclosed.
RAT will be charged under Article 12B of Law No. 20 of 2001 on Eradication of Corruption Crimes, he said.
RAT's name came to public attention after his son, Mario Dandy Satrio (MDS), was named a suspect early in March for brutally assaulting Cristallino David Ozora, the son of Ansor Youth Movement executive board member Jonathan Latumahina, the previous month. The violent encounter was recorded and spread on social media.
Social media users were quick to point out that the tax on a Rubicon car belonging to MDS, which was also seen in the assault video, was in arrears.
This revelation, along with MDS' habit of flaunting his wealth on social media, raised public suspicion regarding his father's wealth -- which was later revealed to reach Rp56 billion (US$3.58 million) -- with many people feeling it was disproportionate to his position as an echelon III official.
On March 8, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati approved RAT's dismissal as a state apparatus at the Directorate General of Taxes, paving the way for the investigation into his wealth.
Related news: Finance minister approves of RAT's termination from post: Ministry
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Translator: Fianda Sjofjan R, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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