Jero Wacik Case Entry Point for Mafia Crime Busters: Observer

Jakarta (Antara) - The new corruption case with Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik as the suspect could serve as an entry point for the law enforcers to crack down on "Mafia" in the oil and gas sector, an observer said. The oil and gas sector has long been believed to be rife with corruption and graft involving government officials and oil and gas contractors or traders. On Wednesday, the nation was shocked again with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announcing another big name as corruption suspect in the oil and gas sector. Jero Wacik was charged by the anti graft agency with abuse of power and extortion involving US$9.9 billion in illegal fund. Later the Center of Reporting and Financial Transaction Analysis said there were indications of money laundering involving the secretary of the High Council of the ruling Democratic Party of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Executive Director of the Trisakti University Fahmi Habsyi warned the authorities to provide full security protection for Jero Wacik and his family members. Jero Wacik could be a potential and important justice collaborator as he must know much about "dirty" business in the oil and gas sector and could drag more suspects among the government officials and politicians, Fahmi said. He said Jero Wacik's alleged crime is relatively insignificant in term of money involved but the law enforcers could get much information from him to bust the Mafia criminal networks. Last year, KPK arrested head of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulator (SSK Migas) Rudi Rubiandini, who is now serving a jail term. Investigation of Rudi case led to the arrest of secretary general of the energy and mineral resources ministry Waryono Karno and lawmaker Sutan Bathugana. "There is no much use of naming Jero Wacik a suspect without firm intention to unearth and uproot rampant corruption in the oil and gas sector," he said. (*)