Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has spoken out regarding the controversial meeting between KPK Deputy Chairman Alexander Marwata (AM) and former Director General of Customs and Excise Eko Darmanto (ED). The meeting has drawn public scrutiny, especially since Eko is facing legal proceedings with the KPK over allegations of gratuity and money laundering.

KPK leadership is prohibited from meeting with parties involved in legal cases. The Jakarta Metro Police are currently investigating the meeting for potential criminal implications. Meanwhile, the KPK has confirmed that the meeting between Alexander and Eko was conducted transparently.

“The meeting between Mr. Alexander Marwata and Mr. Eko Darmanto took place on March 9, 2023, in an open setting at the KPK’s Red and White Building, attended by two KPK staff members and with the knowledge of other KPK leaders,” said KPK Spokesperson Tessa Mahardhika at the KPK headquarters in Jakarta on Friday.

During the meeting, Eko reportedly provided information regarding alleged corruption. Tessa noted that Alexander urged Eko to relay this information to the KPK's Directorate of Reporting and Public Complaints (PLPM).

This meeting coincided with the KPK's examination of Eko Darmanto’s Wealth Report (LHKPN) due to public attention surrounding his social media display of wealth, prompting the KPK to investigate his asset ownership.

“On the other hand, as part of its preventive duties, the KPK was conducting an examination of Mr. Eko Darmanto's LHKPN. On March 15, 2023, the Deputy for Prevention and Monitoring at the KPK sent a memo to the KPK leadership to report the progress of this examination,” Tessa explained.

On March 31, 2023, a leadership meeting discussed the results of the LHKPN examination. During this time, the Deputy for Prevention and Monitoring presented a memo to the leadership concerning the clarification results related to the alleged gratuity.

“Subsequently, on April 5, 2023, the director of the LHKPN sent a memo to the investigation director regarding the submission of a copy of the LHKPN examination report,” Tessa added.

Tessa emphasized that the meeting between Alexander and Eko occurred while the investigation was still in the preventive phase, not when Eko Darmanto’s case was being pursued by the KPK.

“The timing of the meeting between Mr. AM and Mr. ED was during the examination of Mr. ED's LHKPN in the preventive phase. Moreover, this meeting took place before the Deputy for Prevention and Monitoring reported the progress of the investigation to the KPK leadership on March 15, 2023,” she noted.

Following this, Eko was named a suspect by the KPK.