KPK: There Are Always Business Opportunities Related To PCR That Take Advantage Of The COVID-19 Pandemic Situation

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Alexander Marwata, said there are always people who take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to seek profit. Included in the procurement process for COVID-19 test kits based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

"There is always a business opportunity in such conditions (the COVID-19 pandemic). Those who are smart enough to take advantage of the situation will benefit," Alexander told reporters, Thursday, November 18.

Furthermore, he also responded to the reports submitted to the KPK related to the alleged PCR procurement business. Alexander said, this allegation will certainly be studied later, including clarifying the reporting party to ask for preliminary evidence.

If a criminal act is found from the report, an investigation is carried out. But in the process, the KPK will not run alone but will coordinate with the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP).

"The mechanism is far, we see the price of PCR from Rp. 1.5 million to Rp. 500 thousand to Rp. 300 as well," said Alexander.

In addition, the KPK will also be able to ask for information from related parties, including ministries and institutions. "Because the PCR antigen is in the Ministry of Health. So we'll see the price there, we'll see, we'll check," he said. As previously reported, the People's Fair and Prosperous Party (PRIMA) reported Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Erick Thohir to the KPK. PRIMA Deputy Chairperson Alif Kamal reasoned that the reporting of the two ministers was due to the suspicion that this business had 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.

Meanwhile, regarding the report, KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri admitted that he would not be indiscriminate in investigating corruption allegations that originated from public reports, including the PCR test business. He ensured that all allegations of corruption would be thoroughly investigated if it became the authority of the anti-corruption commission.

"KPK will never tire of eradicating corruption. Whoever the perpetrator is, we will take firm action according to the law," said Firli some time ago via his Twitter account @firlibahuri.

He asked the public to be patient because his subordinates are currently working. "KPK will not indiscriminately. KPK works professionally according to the adequacy of evidence," he said.