The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Is Investigating The Procurement Of Antamic Acid In The Ministry Of Agriculture Which Ends In Corruption

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the procurement of ant acid or formiatic acid for rubber processing at the Ministry of Agriculture, which led to corruption. Two witnesses from the private sector were questioned by investigators on Thursday, December 12.

Formiatic acid or ant acid is a chemical used for rubber sap (coagulan) clots. This substance can speed up the process carried out.

"All witnesses were present and examined regarding their knowledge of the procurement of formiatic acid at the Ministry of Agriculture," said KPK Spokesperson Tessa Mahardhika to reporters in a written statement, Friday, December 13.

The two witnesses questioned by investigators were Roy Jusup as General Manager of PT Sinar Universal Labelindo and Teddy Gunawan who were marketing Karton Boxes or PT Multibox Indah and PT Karya Indah Multiguna.

Previously reported, the KPK suspected that there was an inflated budget for the purchase of rubber sap at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan). This was conveyed by the Director of Investigation of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu when asked about the ongoing investigation.

"So we are currently also handling cases related to procurement, I forgot the name, but the acid used to thicken rubber. ... If it used to be called ant acid, the name was there to thicken rubber," Asep told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, November 28.

In this case, the KPK has named a suspect. Eight people have also been prevented from leaving the country for six months.

The anti-corruption commission did not specify their identities. However, from the information gathered they are DS, RIS as a private party; YW, SUP, ANA, AJH, and MT who are civil servants or civil servants of the Ministry of Agriculture; and a retiree with the initials DJ.