Erick Thohir Allegedly Playing In The PCR Business, Arya Sinulingga: It's A Long Way, Since He Was A Minister He Has Not Been Active In Business Affairs

JAKARTA - Special Staff to the Minister of SOEs, Arya Sinulingga, responded to the allegations that Erick Thohir had participated in the PCR test business since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. He denied the allegations. According to Arya, since being appointed as minister, Erick is no longer active in business affairs.

For your information, Erick was later found to be affiliated with PT Genomik Solidaritas Indonesia (GSI), which is known to provide COVID-19 test services ranging from PCR to antigens.

Arya said that one of GSI's shareholders is the Adaro Bangun Negeri Foundation. The number of shares owned is 6 percent. However, according to Arya, Erick himself has been inactive at the Adaro Bangun Negeri Foundation since becoming a minister. Thus, he emphasized that Erick was not involved in the PCR business.

"So it is very far from being involved or associated with Mr. Erick Thohir. Moreover, it is said to play the PCR business, it is far away. So don't be tendentious like that, we have to see everything more clearly", he said.

Arya considered the allegations tendentious. This is because GSI, the company associated with Erick, only carried out 700 thousand PCR tests.

Meanwhile, the total number of PCR tests that have been carried out in Indonesia has reached 28.4 million. Thus, the total PCR tests carried out by GSI are only about 2.5 percent of the total PCR tests in Indonesia.

"So if you say playing, it's funny, 2.5 percent. If it reaches 30 percent, 50 percent is okay, it can be said that GSI is playing around. But only 2.5 percent", he said.

Not only that, but Arya also emphasized that the provisions regarding the PCR test were never issued by the Ministry of SOEs. In addition, the government has never issued an obligation to carry out PCR tests by appointing certain laboratories.

"Unless of course those that are by the standards set by the Ministry of Health", he said.

Previously, former YLBHI Director, Agustinus Edy Kristianto, said several government ministers of President Joko Widodo were involved in the PCR test business. Edy said the ministers were affiliated with GSI, a provider of COVID-19 testing services.

According to Edy, the company was founded by several large companies. He linked Erick with the Adaro Bangun Negeri Foundation which is related to PT Adaro Energy Tbk (ADRO). The company is headed by Erick's brother, Boy Thohir.

In addition, Edy also mentioned the name of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan. According to him, Luhut was involved through PT Toba Bumi Energi and PT Toba Sejahtera, a subsidiary of PT TBS Energi Utama Tbk (TOBA).

Edy admitted that he had no problem with people doing business. But he highlighted, who is behind the business.

"I don't care about Indonesia being the leader of the G-20 or any achievements. This PCR test business is a scandal that is like dirt thrown in the face of the Jokowi government. It stinks and is embarrassing!", said Edy, quoted from era.id.