Former Indonesian Consulate General in Penang Detained
Wednesday, 05 April, 2006 | 17:23 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The former Republic of Indonesia consulate general in Penang, Malaysia, Colonel (retired) Erik Hikmat Setiawan has finally been detained by investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
The confirmation of Erik’s arrest was announced by KPK Chairman Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean to members of the press following the investigation.

According to Tumpak, the suspect admitted that together with others he had collected illegal charges by raising the cost of new immigration documentation.

This included the extension of passports as well as the issuing of new passports for Indonesian citizens, especially laborers in Penang.

“The suspect also admitted to benefiting from these extra funds collected during the 2004-2005 period,” said Tumpak.
In 2004, Erik received a total of 7000 Malaysian Ringgit per month, and in 2005, 14,000 Ringgit per month.

The modus operandi used was to create two decision letters regards the administration of immigration documentation, with different prices in each.

“The prices announced publicly were higher than the real decision letter. The decision letter with the official prices was used as the basis of non-taxable revenue to be paid to the state,” said Tumpak.

The suspect Erik is the supervisor of the former Indonesian immigration attaché in Penang, M. Khusnul Yakin.
According to Tumpak, Erik knew about and allowed the crimes to be committed by his subordinate.

When asked if the investigation would include the Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia at that time, Tumpak stressed that the ambassador has already been questioned once in Jakarta.

However so far, the KPK has not found out about the disbursement of any funds from Erik to another party.
“The investigation is still in process,” said Tumpak but as yet the KPK has not seized any of Erik’s assets.

Erik himself refused to say much to reporters but he looked calm after his questioning, which had lasted for almost six hours.

Wahyu Dhyatmika