Rejecting Corruption, The Christian Christian Church In Timor Is Ready To Return IDR 250 Million From Jhonny G Plate

KUPANG - The Christian Christian Church in Timor (GMIT) stated that it was ready to return funds worth Rp250 million if the funds were proven to have come from the results of alleged corruption that dragged the name of the inactive former Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo) Johnny G. Plate

"The implementing committee of the 2021 GMIT Youth Mussel, and MJ GMIT Bait El Asak-Klasis Fatuleu Timur, stated that if the funds are proven to come from the proceeds of criminal acts of corruption, we are willing to return the Rp250 million funds to the state through the legal mechanism that applies in this Republic," said GMIT Chair Merry Kolimon, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 4.

Pastor Merry stated that GMIT admitted that there was a flow of aid funds received by GMIT worth Rp250 million from Johnny G. Plate through the Organizing Committee for the GMIT Youth Deliberation and the BaitEl Buttock GMIT Congregation Council

The report on the use of funds has been received by MS GMIT and specifically for the report of the GMIT Youth Mussel Implementing Committee has been examined by the GMIT Sinode Service Advisory and Supervision Agency (BPPPS).

"As a sign of GMIT's commitment to rejecting corruption, collusion, and nepotism for the sake of upholding the lives of Indonesian people who are just and civilized and at the same time as a commitment to faith in God who wants His people to live in justice and truth," he said.

He said that initially regarding the entry of funds suspected of being the result of corruption by the former Minister of Communications and Informatics to the GMIT congregation, MS GMIT had collected information. From the collection of information, GMIT initially emphasized that there was no aid from the former Minister of Communication and Information through MS GMIT's cash.

"Meskipun demikian kami mendapatkan informasi bahwa pada acara pembukaan Muspel Pemuda GMIT yang berlangsung pada tanggal 28 Juni 2021, hadir beberapa pejabat pemerintah, termasuk papak Johnny G Plate yang saat itu menjabat sebagai Menteri Kominfo," tambah dia.

In his remarks, Merry said that Johnny stated that he was willing to help the organizing committee for local activities and churches where the Muspel was held with a number of funds.

After delivering the remarks, the Minister of Communication and Information handed over the aid symbolically in the form of a placard written: "Education Care for the GMIT Congregation of NTT Province, June 29, 2021, IDR 250 million".

Then after the ceremonial event, two mothers suspected of being the Ministry of Communication and Information staff asked the Chief Executive Committee of the Muspel and the local Congregation to submit proposals for the disbursement of aid funds. According to the explanation of the two mothers, the assistance funds from the former Minister of Communication and Information will be divided into two, namely Rp. 125 million for the Muspel Committee and the remaining Rp. 125 million MJ GMIT BaitEl Butt.

Merry added that although the plaque is written Care for Education, in the discussion it is said that support for the Muspel Committee is intended to support the costs of the Muspel implementation, while for MJ GMIT Bait El Butak is used for the construction of a pastori (resident's house) of the local congregation. Each fund of Rp125 million goes to the account of the MJ GMIT Council and to the account of BaitEl Buttock MJ GMIT on July 17, 2021.

Furthermore, he said, the Sinode Council of the Evangelical Church in Timor (MS GMIT) supports and cooperates with the government of the Republic of Indonesia and all parties who have good intentions to fight and eradicate corruption for a just and civilized life in the Republic of Indonesia.

Merry also emphasized that the commitment to eradicating corruption is a national commitment as well as a commitment to GMIT's faith to be involved in the struggle of the Indonesian nation to achieve a just and prosperous society, which is also in accordance with the vision of the faith of the church for signs of Allah's shalom.