Jakarta. State-owned tin mining company Timah has pledged to strengthen the governance of tin mining and trading activities following its involvement in a corruption scandal that resulted in extensive environmental damage.

Last week, Harvey Moeis, popularly known as "Indonesia's dream husband," was identified as a suspect by the Attorney General's Office (AGO) in connection with corruption allegations linked to tin trading permits related to Timah.

The corruption scandal, believed to have happened between 2015 and 2022, is estimated to have caused environmental damages amounting to Rp 271 trillion ($17 billion), according to calculations by environmental expert Professor Bambang Hero Saharjo from the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB).

Fina Eliani, Timah's Director of Finance and Risk Management, said the company is intensifying its efforts to enhance mining governance by reinforcing asset security measures, enforcing regulations, and collaborating with local miners to curb illegal mining activities within concession areas.

"Timah remains dedicated to implementing strategic measures aimed at improving operational performance and production," Fina said in her announcement on Sunday.

Additionally, Fina highlighted that the management is formulating strategies and policies to ensure the company's long-term sustainability. Ongoing programs aimed at boosting production, such as the establishment of new mining sites, permit updates, capacity expansion, site surveys, and land inventory, are part of these efforts. Moreover, efficiency initiatives spanning from upstream to downstream operations are being prioritized.

Harvey, acclaimed for his handsome appearance and wealth, gained fame as "Indonesia's dream husband," particularly after his fairytale wedding with actress Sandra Dewi at Disneyland Tokyo in November 2016.

According to Kuntadi, Director of Investigation at the Attorney General's Office, Harvey allegedly communicated with Timah's former President Director, Mochtar Riza Pahlevi Tabrani, between 2016 and 2021 to facilitate illicit mining activities within Timah's concession area.

These unlawful activities were disguised as equipment rental agreements for tin processing. Subsequently, Harvey engaged several smelters, including CV Venus Inti Perkasa, PT Tinindo Inter Nusa, PT Sariwiguna Bina Sentosa, and PT Stanindo Inti Perkasa, in these operations.

Furthermore, Harvey purportedly instructed these smelters to divert a portion of their profits to him, under the guise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, overseen by QSE Manager Helena Lim, who has also been implicated in the case.