KPK Summons The Head Of The DPR's Commission VIII Secretariat Regarding Social Assistance Bribery

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) summoned the Head of the DPR's Commission VIII secretariat, Sigit Bawono Prasetyo, regarding the investigation of the alleged bribery case for social assistance procurement that ensnared former social minister Juliari Batubara.

The investigation of Sigit was carried out by investigators to complete the investigation file with the suspect, the former Bansos Commitment Making Officer (PPK) at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Adi Wahyono.

"The person concerned is being examined as a witness for suspect AW (Adi Wahyono)," said Acting KPK spokesman Ali Fikri when confirmed, Tuesday, January 26.

It is not certain what material the investigators will study when examining Sigit. However, Commission VIII DPR has a scope of duties, one of which is in the social sector with partners of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

In fact, the investigative team ransacked the house of the deputy chairman of Commission VIII DPR from the PDIP faction, Ihsan Yunus on Tuesday, January 12.

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.

In addition, investigators have also investigated Muhammad Rakyan Ikram, the younger brother of Ihsan Yunus who is suspected of having worked on the Covid-19 social assistance procurement project for the Greater Jakarta area.

Apart from examining Sigit, the KPK also summoned the Minister of Social Affairs Expert Staff who is also a PDIP cadre, Restu Hapsari; and President Director of Hamonangan Sude, Rangga Derana Niode. The two of them were also examined as witnesses to complete the investigation files with the suspect Adi Wahyono.

"The two of them were examined as witnesses for suspect AW," said Ali.

Then, the KPK also summoned the Operational Director of PT. Pertani, Lalan Sukmaya and Director of Bumi Pangan Digdaya, Achmad Gamaludin Moeksin. "The two of them were examined as witnesses for the suspect JPB (Juliari P. Batubara)," said Ali.

Reportedly, the KPK appointed Juliari P. Batubara as the Minister of Social Affairs with Adi Wahyono and Matheus Joko Santoso as the Ministry of Social Affairs' Commitment Making Officer (PPK) and two private parties named Ardian IM and Harry Sidabuke as suspects in the suspected Covid-19 social assistance bribery case for the Jabodetabek area.

Juliari and two of his subordinates allegedly received bribes worth around Rp. 17 billion from Ardian and Harry as partners of the Ministry of Social Affairs in procuring the Covid-19 social assistance package for the Jabodetabek area in 2020.