Erick Thohir: PCR Test Pricing Discussed With President Jokowi, So I Can't Take Profit

Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of SOEs)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir emphasized that the pricing policy until the implementation of Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was set transparently. The policy, said Erick, was discussed in a limited meeting between President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and a number of ministers in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet.

Because of that, Erick said that the issue of him being involved in the PCR business was not proven to be true. Because, he said, it is impossible for a meeting held with the president to discuss the benefits for him.

"The meeting was attended not only by Erick Thohir, the meeting was attended by the Minister of Finance, Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, Minister of Health, the PCR policy was also determined transparently. So, is it possible that the limited meeting was set in my favor. What does that mean? Is anyone in the top accused of enriching yourself?," he said in a virtual discussion, Thursday, November 18.

Furthermore, Erick also explained that he did not have a business background in the health and pharmaceutical industry. He said he was also not experienced enough in the sector. However, there are still certain individuals who accuse themselves of enriching themselves through the implementation of RT-PCR.

"I'm sorry, yes, this is not my business, health is not my track record. Then I was framed to enrich. Compared to all the activities we did during COVID-19," he said.

As is known, Erick Thohir and the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan were reported by the Adil Makmur People's Party (Prima) to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on suspicion of the RT-PCR business in the country.

Erick admitted that he did not know the motive regarding his reporting to the KPK. However, he views the move as an act that wants to build a negative perception in the community regarding the credibility of the government.

"We really have to protect our national culture, our sense of mutual cooperation, our sense of caring for each other has begun to fade. Even though it has made us a big country. However, many people, individuals, have done this. , but I'm sure the truth will be proven. And maybe later it will be proven to be the other way around," he said.

Furthermore, Erick also does not feel that the PCR business issue will undermine his credibility ahead of the 2024 presidential election. According to him, his credibility has been built before he was trusted by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to become the Minister of SOEs. In particular, credibility in the eyes of the international public.

Erick admitted that he never thought of becoming a presidential candidate in the future. According to him, the current focus is carrying out a number of SOE transformation programs to encourage Indonesia's macro-economy.

"I don't think that far, if we talk about the credibility that we have built all this time before becoming a minister, that credibility already exists, especially the international public. And many things in the international arena are still active, it's impossible to sacrifice my credibility," he explained.