[SINGAPORE] Wilmar International maintained its innocence after four judges who cleared it – as well as two other palm oil companies – in a corruption case related to obtaining export permits, were reportedly arrested.
“We believe we are not guilty of the charges as our actions during that period to increase the supply of palm oil to the market, despite the additional cost incurred, was intended to help the government improve domestic supplies and reduce prices,” said Wilmar in a statement released after market closed on Monday (Apr 14).
A court last month acquitted the three companies – Wilmar Group, Musim Mas Group and North Sumatra-based Permata Hijau Group – of charges of misconduct in obtaining export permits in 2022.
A Reuters’ report on Monday said that three judges who made the ruling were arrested on Sunday night, following the arrest of a local court’s chief judge on bribery charges in the same matter.
“To the best of our knowledge, investigations so far have not involved the Wilmar group or any of its employees, but we will assist in any investigation if we are called upon… We wish to reiterate that the Wilmar group has zero tolerance for corrupt practices,” said Wilmar.
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) of Indonesia said on Saturday that prosecutors had arrested a chief judge of South Jakarta district court, who was allegedly paid 60 billion rupiah (S$4.7 million) to arrange for a favourable verdict by two lawyers for the companies. Some US$1.07 million was then allegedly paid to the three other judges.
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“The bribe was given so that the judges would rule that it’s not a crime,” the authority noted. A court employee and two lawyers were also arrested at the same time.
The AGO said that it raided five locations in Jakarta last Friday and confiscated money in renminbi, Singapore dollars, US dollars, rupiah and ringgit, as well as Mercedes Benz and Ferrari cars, among other evidence.
The 2022 case revolved around the approval of export permits that did not meet requirements, and a failure to meet obligations at the time for domestic palm oil distribution.
Shares of Wilmar closed Monday up 0.3 per cent, or S$0.01, to S$3.15 on a cum dividend basis.
