After Being Targeted By KPK Investigators, Budi Karya Claims To Be Only A Substitute PPK During PPE Procurement

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has finished examining the former Head of the Health Crisis Center of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) Budi Badya. He said he was asked for information regarding the process of procuring personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic which ended up being corrupted.

"The investigation is related to the PPE procurement process from early 2020 where I was the actual substitute PPK," Budi told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Wednesday, June 26.

As a substitute PPK, continued Budi, he could not determine the price. It was not me who appointed the provider, nor me," he said.

"The item has also been taken first, it's not me who took it," continued Budi.

Budi said it was the COVID-19 Task Force from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) that took the PPE. So, he admitted that he did not know anything about the procurement affairs.

He admitted that he only signed the procurement. "Because I was appointed, I was appointed as PPK by my leadership. Yes, because of the position order, yes, I couldn't avoid it at that time," said Budi.

Budi said that the procurement of PPE at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was indeed carried out quickly. Because at that time the condition was an emergency.

Therefore, he asked all parties to wait for an explanation from KPK investigators. "We just follow the process," he said.

Previously reported, the KPK named a suspect in the alleged corruption case in the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) for the period 2020-2022 or during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number is more than one person but his identity has not been disclosed.

From the results of the temporary investigation, the value of state losses caused reached hundreds of billions of rupiah. The project value is IDR 3.03 trillion for the procurement of 5 million PPE packages.

As for this case, Budi is one of the parties prevented from leaving the country along with Satrio Wibowo, who is a private party.