Allegations Of Corruption In Google Cloud Procurement Are Still Being Investigated, The KPK Ensures No Obstacles

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that the investigation into the alleged corruption in the procurement of Google Cloud at the Ministry of Education and Culture is still in progress. There are no obstacles and requests for information to a number of parties continue.

"Until now there have been no obstacles (related to the investigation into alleged corruption in the procurement of Google Cloud, ed). Requests for information to the parties have also been carried out effectively," said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo, quoted on Wednesday, August 13.

Budi ensured that this case would definitely be submitted to the public if it had gone up to the investigation stage. However, he did not know when because there was coordination that had to be carried out with the Attorney General's Office.

This coordination is necessary because the Attorney General's Office is currently taking care of allegations of corruption related to the procurement of Chrome Books in ministries that were once led by Nadiem Makarim. "Because this is indeed a slice, yes," he said.

"This means that if coordination is needed to exchange data, support each other's law enforcement process with the Attorney General's Office, of course, it becomes something positive for synergy between law enforcement officials," continued Budi.

Previously reported, the KPK is investigating allegations of corruption in the procurement of Google Cloud. It is suspected that there is too much to pay in the process.

"This is what we are investigating. Is this happening too expensive or what," said Acting Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu to reporters quoted on Saturday, July 26.

The procurement of Google Cloud, which is suspected of being corrupted, occurred during the COVID-19 or 2020 pandemic. At that time, the government made online school rules due to activity restrictions to prevent transmission of the virus.

This Google Cloud serves to store data such as tasks to test results. The way it works is actually the same as the current online storage on smart cellphones.

As for the investigation process, a number of parties have been questioned. Among them are Nadiem Makarim who is the former Minister of Education and Culture.

Nadiem admitted that he had explained about Google Cloud to investigators when he was present at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, August 7. He was asked for information at around 18.45 WIB or after nine hours since his presence at 09.15 WIB.

"Earlier, thank God, I was asked to provide information regarding cloud procurement at the Ministry of Education and Culture," Nadiem told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, August 7.