Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono stated that his office is conducting an investigation on alleged bribery by the German software company, SAP, which is allegedly linked to the ministry.

Trenggono admitted that he had just learned about the bribery case that occurred from 2015 to 2018. Currently, the ministry is identifying traces of projects and applications from SAP that were related to the case.

"We are still identifying the application. It happened from 2015 to 2018. There should be traces of the application," he remarked on Tuesday.

During the investigation, he urged the ministry's inspector general to investigate all matters related to the link between the KKP and SAP.

Until now, his side has not confirmed the initial allegations regarding the project or the KKP officials involved in the bribery case.

Trenggono also remarked that his side had not communicated and coordinated with the former KKP minister or other authorized institutions.

In a release issued by the United States Department of Justice (U.S. DOJ), a global software company based in Germany, SAP, would pay more than US$220 million for an investigation carried out by the U.S. DOJ and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices (FCPA) Law.

It was stated at the release that during the 2015-2018 period, SAP, through certain agents, was involved in a scheme to bribe Indonesian officials to gain inappropriate business benefits for SAP in connection with various contracts between SAP, departments, and institutions in Indonesia, including the KKP Ministry.

In addition, the U.S. DOJ also drew attention to allegations of bribery involving the Telecommunications and Informatics Financing Provider and the Telecommunications and Informatics Accessibility Agency of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Bakti Kominfo).

"Investigation carried out along with law enforcement partners followed a widespread trail of bribery and corruption from South Africa to Indonesia. This joint effort resulted in the defendant company paying significant criminal penalties and agreeing to long-term remedial actions," as quoted from a statement from the U.S. DOJ.

Related news: Indonesia's OJK vows anti-corruption culture in financial sector
Related news: Indonesia needs to strengthen its anti-corruption system: Jokowi

Translator: Farhan Arda N, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2024