KPK Signs That The Google Cloud Kemendikbudristek Corruption Case Will Immediately Rise To Investigation

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) (ANTARA) building

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has signaled that allegations of corruption in the procurement of Google Cloud at the Ministry of Education and Culture will soon advance to the investigation stage. The process relies on the findings of investigators who are working.

"Hopefully, if the facts are correct, the KPK will immediately raise the status to the level of investigation," said KPK Deputy Chairman Fitroh Rohcahyanto to reporters quoted on Thursday, August 7.

Fitroh said a number of high-ranking Kemendikbudristek officials would also continue to be summoned. "There is a request for information on several officials and former officials," he said.

In this case, the anti-corruption commission has asked for information from a number of parties. Among them is Melissa Siska Juminto as a shareholder of GoTo and Andre Sulistyo who is a former Commissioner of GoTo on Tuesday, August 5.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said the two requests for information were related to the investigation into alleged corruption in the procurement of Google Cloud at the Ministry of Education and Culture. Melissa and Andre were worked on at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

"It is true, in investigating the case, today a summons was made for questioning of parties suspected of knowing the construction of this case," Budi said when confirmed by reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday, August 5.

Budi has not been able to detail the material studied from Melissa or Andre. This is because investigations are usually carried out behind closed doors.

He only said that both statements were needed to explore the mechanism for Google Cloud procurement at the Ministry of Education and Culture. "And the progress of handling this case is quite positive, yes, because from yesterday several parties who were questioned were present. Today also present," said Budi.

"Of course this will also complement the information needed by friends in this investigation process," he continued.

Previously reported, the KPK said that the investigation into alleged corruption in the procurement of Google Cloud was still ongoing. Investigation is being carried out to find the fraudulent mode of practice.

"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.

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

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

"We ourselves want to store photos, videos, or what, we are stored in the cloud. That's paying. Well, this too. The cloud is what we are investigating," he said.

Asep emphasized that this investigation is different from the Chromebook corruption investigation which has been handled by the Attorney General's Office (AGO). If Google Cloud is one of the software. The software is to place data, store data from all over Indonesia, all schools in Indonesia," said the Director of KPK Investigation.