Not Calling Ihsan Yunus, KPK: We Need Slow

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has not yet summoned the former Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII DPR Ihsan Yunus because he is still considering the basis for this effort. Moreover, the KPK will differentiate between articles that ensnare the previous perpetrators from other articles.

"We need to take it slow and of course there is also a basis for us to take that action," said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Karyoto to reporters at the Red and White KPK building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Monday, February 15.

Although he admitted that he would slowly investigate the case, he said there were no obstacles in investigating the suspected bribery case related to the provision of social assistance (bansos) for COVID-19 which also ensnared former Social Minister (Mensos) Juliari Peter Batubara.

"There are no obstacles, no obstacles. It's just that we are back on the basis we are preparing. Want to investigate, what do you want, we are preparing," he said.

"Later we can start with inquiries and others," added Karyoto.

It is known that the KPK has the opportunity to carry out a new investigation into the social assistance case. Furthermore, in early February, the KPK carried out reconstruction related to the COVID-19 social assistance bribery case in the Greater Jakarta area, which gave rise to the name of the PDI Perjuangan politician and former Deputy Chair of Commission VIII DPR RI Ihsan Yunus.

There is also Ihsan's involvement arises not only because the operator, Agustri Yogasmara, is suspected of receiving money and bicycles through the bribe giver, namely Harry Sidabuke. Through reconstruction, Ihsan said he had participated in a meeting at the Director of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Victims (PSKBA) of the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) Syafii Nasution.

This meeting took place in February 2020. Apart from Ihsan, the meeting was also attended by Matheus Joko Santoso as the Ministry of Social Affairs Commitment Making Officer (PPK). Ihsan, who is currently a member of Commission II of the DPR, is described as having a conversation with Joko and M Syafii Nasution.

Previously reported, the KPK named a number of suspects in connection with the alleged corruption case of social assistance (bansos) food packages for the handling of COVID-19 in the Jabodetabek area including the non-active Social Minister Juliari Batubara.

Apart from Juliari, the KPK also named four other suspects, namely the Commitment Making Officer at the Ministry of Social Affairs (PPK) MJS and AW as recipients of bribes and AIM and HS as the givers of bribes.