The Ministry Of Manpower's Way Of Extorting Foreign Workers Is Investigated By The KPK Through 3 Witnesses

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is exploring how the Directorate General of Manpower Placement and Expansion of Job Opportunities (Ditjen Binapenta and PKK) of the Ministry of Manpower extorts foreign workers (TKA) who will work in Indonesia.

This step was taken by examining three witnesses on Tuesday, May 27.

"All witnesses were present. The witnesses were investigated regarding the procedures for applying for a TKA permit at the Ministry of Manpower and their knowledge regarding the technical requests for money from the Ministry of Manpower to TKA agents," said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo to reporters in a written statement, Tuesday, May 27.

Budi said the three witnesses were questioned at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

Those examined by investigators were Berry Trimadya as a former Civil Servant (PNS) of the Ministry of Manpower; Kholil as the driver of the staff who became a suspect in this case; and Fira Firliza who is the Head of the Subdivision of Administration of the Directorate of Control of the Use of Foreign Workers (PPTKA) of the Ministry of Manpower for 2022-2025.

The KPK revealed that the extortion carried out by the suspects in this case reached Rp53 billion. The practice of cheating against foreign workers has occurred since 2019-2024.

A total of eight suspects have been named even though it has not been officially announced. From the information collected, they are Haryanto and Suhartono as former Director General of Manpower Placement and Expansion of Job Opportunities (Binapenta and PKK).

Then also named a suspect is the WP as Director of the Directorate of Foreign Labor Licensing Control (PPTKA) of the Ministry of Manpower; GW who is the Head of the Sub-Directorate and the Commitment and Coordinating Officer; and PCW, JS, AE as staff. This determination is based on an investigation warrant (sprindik) signed by the KPK leadership.

Previously reported, the KPK is investigating allegations of corruption related to the placement of foreign workers or the management of the Plan for the Use of Foreign Workers (RPTKA). Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu said there was an allegation that there was an extortion of prospective foreign workers (TKA) who would work in Indonesia.

This extortion, continued Asep, was carried out by the Directorate General of Manpower Placement and Expansion of Job Opportunities (Ditjen Binapenta and PKK).

"(The Ministry of Manpower at the Directorate General of Binapenta collects or forces someone to give something," Asep said when confirmed by reporters, Tuesday, May 20.

Asep said the suspects were suspected of violating Article 12e or Article 12b of the Anti-Corruption Law. The practice is alleged to have occurred for the period 2020-2023.

The search has been carried out at a number of locations in Jabodetabek on May 20-22. There were 11 cars and 2 motorbikes that were confiscated and have been transferred to the KPK Confiscated Property Storage House (Rupbasan), Cawang, South Jakarta on Monday, May 26.