Jakarta. The trial of alleged corruption at state-owned tin miner Timah resumed Thursday, with witness Ichwan Azwardi detailing how illegal mining within Timah's areas was hindered by protected officials, despite ongoing efforts to address the issue.

Ichwan Azwardi, Head of the Planning and Production Control Division at Timah, testified in the trial involving defendants Harvey Moeis, President Director of Refined Bangka Tin (RBT), Suparta, and Reza Andriansyah, Director of Development at Timah.

The trial is expected to reveal further details about Harvey’s, husband of actress Sandra Dewi, role in the corruption scheme, which has led to state losses estimated at Rp 300 trillion ($18.5 billion) and the layoff of 1,329 workers in the Bangka Belitung Islands.

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Ichwan revealed that the company struggled against illegal miners operating in Timah’s permitted areas. He explained that law enforcement efforts were often obstructed due to protection from influential figures.

"The challenge is that they are protected by certain parties, so we cannot take legal action," Ichwan said at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday.

He added that despite Timah's memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the police to combat illegal mining, the issue persisted because of the involvement of officials, though he did not specify their identities.

"Despite the MoU with the police, we still face difficulties as they are protected by certain figures," Ichwan added.

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Prosecutor Ardito Mawardi from the Attorney General’s Office has demanded a life sentence for Harvey Moeis, accusing him of violating Articles 2 and 3 of Law No. 20 of 2001 on Corruption Eradication. Harvey is charged with embezzling Rp 420 billion through corrupt practices at Timah.

Director of Investigations at the Deputy Attorney General’s Office for Special Crimes, Kuntadi, explained that between 2018 and 2019, Harvey allegedly coordinated with Timah’s CEO, Mochtar Riza Pahlevi Tabrani, who is also a suspect. Harvey is accused of exploiting Riza’s position to support illegal mining activities within Timah’s operational areas.

Their meetings allegedly resulted in an agreement to lease tin processing equipment, which became part of the corruption scheme. The trial is expected to shed more light on Harvey’s involvement in the case, which has caused significant financial losses to the state.