This Is What The KPK Investigated From The Secretary General Of The Ministry Of Social Affairs In The Bansos Case
JAKARTA - KPK investigators have examined the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs (Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs) Hartono Laras as a witness in the case of two bribes for social assistance procurement for Jabodetabek residents who were affected by COVID-19.
Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Affairs Ali Fikri said investigators were exploring the social assistance procurement stage which was what Juliari Batubara wanted when he became Social Minister from Hartono Laras.
"Hartono Laras, Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs has deepened his knowledge of the stages and processes of Bansos procurement for the Jabodetabek area in 2020 at the Ministry of Social Affairs," Ali said in his statement, Jakarta, Friday, January 15.
Apart from Hartono, on the same day, namely Thursday, January 14, the investigation team also examined a number of witnesses. Among other things, a businessman named Helmi Rifai, the investigator confirmed about the work project and the payment process for the work obtained by the witness as one of the distributors of social assistance packages for the Jabodetabek area in 2020 at the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Meanwhile, another private, named Raditya Buana, was questioned by investigators regarding money exchange activities in the form of foreign currency.
"The currency exchange in foreign currency is suspected to be for the purposes of the suspect JPB (Juliari P. Batubara)," said Ali.
Not only that, the investigation team has also investigated a businessman Muhammad Rakyan Ikram. According to the information gathered, Rakyan is the younger brother of the deputy chairman of Commission VIII DPR from the PDIP faction Ihsan Yunus.
During the examination, the investigating team searched Rakyan about his company which was suspected of being involved in the procurement of social assistance at the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemsos).
"Muhammad Rakyan Ikram, an entrepreneur, has his knowledge of the witness company suspected of obtaining social assistance work packages for the Jabodetabek area in 2020 at the Ministry of Social Affairs," said Ali.
As for Ihsan Yunus, recently, he has been linked with bribery cases for social assistance. Where previously the KPK had searched the house of Ihsan's parents last week.
From this search, the team of investigators confiscated communication tools and a number of documents related to the alleged bribery case for the provision of social assistance.
It is possible that the KPK will summon and examine Ihsan Yunus to confirm the items confiscated by the investigating team. Moreover, Ihsan is the Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII DPR which has a scope of duties, one of which is in the social sector with the Ministry of Social Affairs' partners.
"In principle, whoever is suspected of knowing the series of events the suspects have allegedly committed, the investigators will certainly confirm it," said Ali.