Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has accused Galaila Karen Kardinah, better known as Karen Agustiawan, who served as PT Pertamina's CEO from 2009 to 2014, of involvement in a corruption case related to liquefied natural gas (LNG) procurement at the company between 2011 and 2021. KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri announced the decision at Jakarta's KPK Building on Tuesday evening (19/9/2023). Karen is charged with violating Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 of Law Number 31 of 1999 on  the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001, in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) point 1 of the Criminal Code. She has been placed in detention for the initial 20 days, starting September 19, 2023, until October 8, 2023. The alleged corruption case dates back to around 2012 when PT Pertamina sought LNG procurement as a solution to Indonesia's anticipated gas deficit, expected to occur from 2009 to 2040. This deficit was crucial for meeting the energy needs of PT PLN Persero, the fertilizer industry, and the petrochemical sector. During her tenure as CEO from 2009 to 2014, Karen engaged in agreements with foreign LNG producers, including Corpus Christi Liquefaction (CCL) LLC in the United States. These agreements were made without thorough analysis and without reporting to PT Pertamina Persero's Board of Commissioners, it was accused. No report was presented for discussion at the General Shareholders Meeting (RUPS), which involved the government, resulting in a lack of official approval. As a consequence, the LNG cargo purchased from CCL by PT Pertamina Persero could not be utilized in the domestic market, leading to oversupply and subsequent losses in international sales. The case has resulted in an estimated financial loss to the state of approximately $140 million USD or around IDR 2.1 trillion. (mg/inp/pr/nm)