Self Isolation Won't Stop Ex-Directorate General Of The Ministry Of Home Affairs To Monitor The Provision Of Bribes For The Management Of Regional PEN Funds

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has officially detained the former Director General (Dirjen) of Regional Finance at the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), Mochamad Ardian Noervianto. The detention was carried out in connection with the alleged bribery of filing for the Regional National Economic Recovery (PEN) fund for East Kolaka Regency in 2021.

When announcing the detention, KPK Deputy Chair Alexander Marwata said Ardian was still monitoring the giving of bribes to him despite being in self-isolation. The amount of money given to the former Ministry of Home Affairs official amounted to IDR 1.5 billion in Singapore dollar denominations.

This money was given by the inactive East Kolaka Regent Andi Merya Nur to oversee and support the process of applying for a regional PEN loan amounting to IDR 350 billion.

"It is suspected that the MAN suspect was actively monitoring the handover process even though at that time he was carrying out self-isolation, including by always communicating with several of his confidants who had previously been introduced to the suspect LMSA," Alexander said at a press conference at the KPK's Merah Putih Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Wednesday, January 2nd.

Alexander then explained why Andi Merya asked Ardian to oversee the loan application process until it was disbursed.

He said, as Director-General of Regional Financial Development at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ardian did have the authority to prepare a letter of consideration from the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) on applications for PEN funds loans submitted by local governments.

However, Andi's wish was not just done. The reason is that Ardian asked for compensation of 3 percent in stages from the value of the loan application.

"It is suspected that there were requirements requested by the suspect MAN regarding the gradual giving of money as follows: 1 percent when a consideration was issued from the Ministry of Home Affairs; 1 percent when the initial assessment was issued from the Ministry of Finance; and 1 percent when the MoU was signed between PT SMI and the East Kolaka Regency Government," said Alexander.

This request was then agreed to by Andi until the money was given. Alexander said that the initial payment of IDR 2 billion was made through an account belonging to the Head of the Muna Laode Regency Environmental Service, M Syukur Akbar, who was also named as the suspect recipient.

In fact, Laode M Syukur also received IDR 500 million from IDR 2 billion handed over by Andi.

"After receiving the first tranche of money, a follow-up meeting was held at a restaurant in Jakarta which was attended by the suspect MAN and LMSA to discuss the continuation of the escort carried out by the suspect MAN and it was confirmed that there was a guarantee by the suspect MAN that the application for the PEN funds loan was complete," he explained.

For his actions, Ardian was then detained at the KPK Detention Center at the KPK Merah Putih Building. The detention was carried out for 20 days from February 2 to February 21.

Regarding his detention, Ardian admitted that he was ready to follow the ongoing legal process.

"I just respect the legal process," said Ardian before getting into the detention car, Wednesday, February 2.

He had nothing else to say. Ardian chose to go straight into the prisoner's car which would take him to the KPK Detention Center.

For his actions, Ardian as a suspect in receiving bribes together with Laode M Syukur was suspected of violating Article 12 letter a or Article 12 letter b or Article 11 of Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to the Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) to 1 of the Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, Andi as the giver is suspected of violating Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or b or Article 13 of Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Corruption Crime.