literasihukum.com – Investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confiscated funds amounting to Rp 476.9 billion, suspected to be derived from gratification related to coal production in Kutai Kartanegara Regency (Kukar). According to official information from the KPK, the money was spread across 52 accounts under the name of the former Regent of Kutai Kartanegara, Rita Widyasari, and several parties suspected of involvement. KPK Spokesperson, Tessa Mahardhika Sugiarto, stated that the investigative team secured the funds on January 10, 2025, in various currencies, namely rupiah, United States dollars (USD), and Singapore dollars. Specifically, Rp 350.87 billion was confiscated from 36 accounts, USD 6.28 million from 15 accounts, and SGD 2 million from 1 account. If converted, the total value of the confiscation reaches Rp 476.9 billion.
“The confiscation was carried out because it is suspected that the money came from the proceeds of criminal acts of gratification related to coal mining in Kutai Kartanegara,” explained Tessa in a written statement, Tuesday (14/1/2025).
In addition to confiscating nearly half a trillion rupiah, the KPK also secured 91 vehicles, a number of valuables, five plots of land covering thousands of square meters, and 30 luxury watches. All confiscated items are now at the State Confiscated Goods Storage House (Rupbasan) of the KPK in East Jakarta and Samarinda, East Kalimantan.

Verdict and Case Development

Rita Widyasari was previously sentenced to 10 years in prison and a fine of Rp 600 million, subsidiary to six months imprisonment, by the Supreme Court in 2018. She was proven to have accepted gratuities worth Rp 110 billion related to projects within the Kutai Kartanegara Regency Government, as well as a bribe of Rp 6 billion in the process of granting oil palm plantation permits. Her political rights were also revoked for five years after the end of her principal sentence. In its development, the KPK again named Rita as a suspect in money laundering (TPPU) related to the alleged receipt of gratuities from coal companies in Kukar. The KPK has affirmed that it will continue to investigate the flow of funds, assets, and other parties suspected of also profiting from these illegal activities.

Political Dynasty in Kutai Kartanegara

Rita is the second daughter of Syaukani Hasan Rais, the Regent of Kukar for the 1999–2006 period. During Syaukani's era, the KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) investigated alleged corruption in the release of land for the Kutai Kartanegara Airport, which subsequently led to Syaukani being sentenced to imprisonment. Despite this, the family's popularity remained somewhat intact, as evidenced by Rita's election as the Regent of Kukar in the 2010 Regional Elections and her subsequent victory in the 2015 Regional Elections. Rita's political career gradually declined after the KPK named her as a suspect in 2017 in connection with the acceptance of bribes for oil palm plantation permits. A year later, she was also processed in a case of money laundering (TPPU). The court's decision ultimately sentenced her to 10 years in prison, a fine of Rp 600 million subsidiary to six months imprisonment, and the revocation of political rights for five years. With the various legal measures that have been taken, the KPK has stated its commitment to continue investigating assets resulting from corruption in Kukar until all parties involved are held accountable.