Regarding The Allegation Of The PCR Test Business, Erick Thohir: Our Pandemic Means A Test From Allah SWT, Wherever There Are Efforts To Divide The Nation

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

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir revealed that certain elements deliberately built a negative narrative during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Erick, the negative narrative aims to divide the unity and integrity of the Indonesian nation.

According to Erick, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government and society should unite to strengthen togetherness and mutual cooperation in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he said, there are a number of small groups who deliberately deal with conflicts to divide the nation's defense.

This statement was made by Erick, after his name and the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, were widely discussed. In fact, both of them were reported to the KPK for allegedly playing in the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) business.

"We interpret this pandemic as a test from Allah SWT and behind it all there is wisdom, this learning is so that the Indonesian nation is stronger and independent. All elements of the nation, government and people must unite to strengthen togetherness, mutual cooperation in facing the test of this pandemic, even though there are efforts to divide certain elements so that we do not unite," he said in a virtual discussion, Thursday, November 18.

Erick emphasized that the government had carried out its maximum strategy to deal with the pandemic. In fact, said Erick, the results were quite effective in dealing with the health crisis that hit the country.

"This has been recognized internationally for the handling of COVID so far and the delta variant which is very, very heavy," he said.

PCR prices are set transparently

Not only that, Erick also emphasized that the pricing policy and other mechanisms for RT-PCR were set transparently. According to Erick, the policy was also discussed through a limited meeting between President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and a number of Ministers in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet. Thus, the PCR business issue associated with him is considered unproven.

"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 there in the ratan accused of enriching yourself?," he said.

Erick also confirmed that he did not have a business background in the health and pharmaceutical industry. He stressed that he was not experienced enough in the sector. However, according to him, 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," he said.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir were suspected of being involved in the PCR business in Indonesia.

The mention of Luhut's name in the PCR business started from Agustinus' statement that a number of ministers were related to the PCR test business. Agustinus revealed this through his Facebook account.

Initially, Agustinus quoted mass media reports about the PCR laboratory owned by politicians and conglomerates. In his upload, he said the composition of shareholders of PT Genomik Solidaritas Indonesia (GSI) had an affiliation with Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

The companies are PT Toba Bumi Energi and PT Toba Sejahtera. Agustinus explained that Luhut has a small stake in the two companies, of which Luhut is also known as the founder.

He also linked Erick with the Adaro Bangun Negeri Foundation which is related to PT Adaro Energy Tbk (ADRO). The company is headed by Erick's brother, Boy Thohir.

"The minister turned out to be affiliated with PT Genomics Solidaritas Indonesia. The PT business unit is GSI Lab which sells all kinds of COVID-19 tests: Sameday PCR Swab (275 thousand), Antigen Swab (95,000), PCR Mouth (495 thousand) thousand), S-RBD Quantitative Antibody (249 thousand)," wrote Agustinus.

Agustinus admitted that he had no problem with people doing business. But he highlighted, who is behind the business.

"I don't care about Indonesia being the leader of the G-20 or any achievements. This PCR test business is a scandal that is like dirt thrown in the face of the Jokowi government. It smells and is embarrassing!," he said.