Jokowi Receives 3 Tons Of Oranges From Karo Residents But Doesn't Report To KPK, State Secretariat: President Submits Own Payment

JAKARTA - Special Staff to the Minister of State Secretariat (Mensesneg) Faldo Maldini said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) did not report the giving of one truckload of oranges (3 tons) delivered by residents of Liang Melas Datas, Karo Regency, North Sumatra to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) .

Faldo said, this gift has been replaced with money so it is not a form of acceptance of gratification by state officials. Where the rules apply, each receipt must be reported to the KPK within 30 working days according to the applicable rules.

"In the video, the President himself handed over the payment for the oranges in a goodie bag. He said, 'instead'. You can see this for yourself, please check the video," Faldo told reporters, Wednesday, December 8.

He said President Jokowi is certainly a person who is obedient with reporting gratuities and this has been exemplified. One of them, when reporting the gift of Metallica guitar and horse to the KPK.

However, because the oranges were given from farmers, the former governor of DKI Jakarta preferred to buy them rather than report them to the KPK.

"It would be better if he was paid for it, bought it rather than taken it to the KPK. Later the farmer will be sad. There is appropriateness in the state," he said.

It was previously reported that President Joko Widodo had received gifts in the form of three tons of oranges from residents of Liang Melas Datas, Karo Regency, North Sumatra on Monday, December 6.

"Earlier, we delivered these gifts, hopefully and we hope that our President will pay attention to us, the people of Liang Melas Village, there are six villages plus three hamlets. So we really hope that your assistance will make our village change from what it used to be. somewhat better," said one resident of Liang Melas Datas at the presidential palace in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Monday, December 6.

Setia Sembiring and five of his colleagues came directly to meet President Jokowi and hoped to get President Jokowi's attention regarding the damaged road conditions in their area. According to him, the damaged road also affected residents in six villages and three hamlets in Liang Melas Datas.

During the meeting, President Jokowi said that the damaged road in Liang Melas Datas would soon be repaired. He has ordered the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) to repair the road and this has been followed up with direct field checks by the North Sumatra National Road Implementation Center (BBPJN), Directorate General of Highways on Sunday, December 5, 2021.

After receiving the oranges brought by the resident representatives, President Jokowi provided cash assistance to the farmers of Liang Melas Datas. President Jokowi also said he plans to visit the village when the road is completed.

"I'll pass it on to the farmers, I've received the souvenirs, this is a replacement. I'll tell you later. This is the direct way to do it. Later when the road is finished, I'll go there. he said.