Six Immigration Officers Involved in Gayus Case Suspended

Editor : Jimmy Hitipeuw

Senin, 17 Januari 2011 | 14:58 WIB

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The law and human rights ministry has suspended six officers at the immigration directorate general for alleged involvement in facilitating the overseas trips of tax fraud defendant Gayus Tambunan.

The number of suspended officers might increase depending on the results of investigations being carried out by the ministry’s inspectorate general, Law and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar said before attending a limited cabinet meeting chaired by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the presidential office here Monday to discuss the Gayus Tambunan case. The minister refused to reveal the positions of the suspended officers.

"Up to now, six people have been suspended, while we are giving a chance for further investigations by the police," he said.

The ministry had not yet found evidence that the six officers had been bribed by Gayus Tambunan. Minister Patrialis Akbar said he would take the six officers to the police if the ministry found indications of crimes. He stated that he would not protect any one found guilty in his ministry.

"We will not cover up any immigration official indicated of being involved in criminal acts. We are open for total and comprehensive investigations," the minister said.

Gayus Tambunan, a tax officer, is believed to be involved in a tax fraud mafia syndicate. He has continued making headlines it was discovered he had repeatedly made overseas trips while he was officially supposed to be in a detention cell.

He is also believed to have forged his picture for making a forged passport to go abroad. Gayus was believed to be in Macao on September 22 to 24, 2010 and later on September 30, 2010 and October2, 2010 to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Gayus had used a forged passport under the name of Sony Laksono carrying his picture wearing a wig for going to Singapore, Macao, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) chairman Yunus Husein said his office has not yet found Gayus Tambunan’s assets overseas.