Alleged PCR Test Business Involving Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan And Erick Thohir Finally Reported To KPK

JAKARTA - Two ministers in the government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) were reported to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). This report was made because they are suspected of being behind the business of procuring PCR equipment which is a test kit to detect COVID-19.

The People's Party Adil Makmur (PRIMA) reported the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and SOE Minister Erick Thohir to the KPK. This report emerged because of rumors that the two ministers in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet were playing behind the PCR business.

"We want to report outside rumors that there are suspicions 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 Deputy Chairperson of PRIMA Alif Kamal. after submitting the report at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, November 4.

Although he had submitted the report, Alif said he had not met with the Public Relations Commission of the KPK. However, he confirmed that the report along with the initial data in the form of a collection of news related to the alleged PCR business had been received by the anti-corruption commission.

As for the basis for this report, said Alif, because this alleged business has made it difficult for the community in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, this report was made because the price of PCR tests often changes and the basic price is not clear.

He views that there is no disclosure of information so that people are confused. "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.

The report is received and ready to be forwarded to the Directorate of Public Complaints

KPK Director of Investigation Setyo Budiyanto said this report had indeed been received by his party and was currently being processed by the correspondence department. Later, after this process, the report will be forwarded to the Directorate of Public Complaints (Dumas) of the KPK for further study.

"Based on the checking, the letter has been received by the correspondence department, of course, this will go through a mechanism and will be received by the Dumas Directorate and will be reviewed," Setyo said at a press conference.

Further analysis, he continued, needs to be carried out to find out whether the allegations are in accordance with the authority of the anti-corruption commission in accordance with Article 11 of Law Number 19 of 2019.

If appropriate, the KPK will then follow up with other activities such as conducting clarification. "There is (search, red) information, clarification, requests for data, and others," said Setyo.

"So it is still a process and we will not answer whether to clarify anyone because it is a work pattern. But who will be from Dumas and the KPK Investigation Directorate will carry out the investigation," he added.

Furthermore, Setyo also appreciated the reports submitted by the public. Moreover, this report was submitted through an official channel so that the KPK could follow up.

"Regarding information and reports on indications or allegations of corruption in the procurement of PCR, we thank the public or certain groups who provide information and even report officially," he said.

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 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 Sejahtra, a subsidiary of PT TBS Energi Utama Tbk (TOBA).