Luhut Binsar And Erick Thohir Reported To KPK Regarding Alleged PCR Test Business

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir were reported to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on suspicion of the PCR test business. This report was carried out by the People's Party of Justice and Prosperity (PRIMA).

PRIMA Deputy Chairperson Alif Kamal said this report was carried out because the alleged PCR test business made the community difficult in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We want to report rumors outside, there are allegations that several ministers are related to the PCR business, especially if the ones that have been mentioned by many media are the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, and Erick Thohir," said Alif at the KPK's Red and White House, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, November 4.

In addition to making it difficult for the public, this allegation is also reported because the price of PCR tests often changes and the basic price is not clear. Alif emphasized that there was no transparency regarding the procurement of the tools used to detect COVID-19.

"We don't really know how much the standard price of this PCR is. So that people will understand how much the state is actually doing this PCR by the importer by the business people so that we can calm down," he said.

Furthermore, Alif said that he had submitted initial data in the form of a collection of reports related to the alleged PCR business. He hoped that the KPK could explore the data by summoning Luhut and Erick Thohir.

"I think this is the initial data for the KPK to be able to reveal this, just call him Luhut, just call him Erick so that the KPK clears to explain to the public that this is what happened," he said.

"What is certain is that there is a lot of data circulating in the media which can be the initial data for the KPK to investigate," added Alif.

Previously, former Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Director Agustinus Edy Kristianto said a number of 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 a number of large companies. He linked Erick to 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 Sejahtra, a subsidiary of PT TBS Energi Utama Tbk (TOBA).