Distribution Of BI Scholarship Postponed Amid Investigation Of Alleged Corruption Of CSR Funds

Bank Indonesia (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Bank Indonesia (BI) has decided to postpone the distribution of scholarships for students and students.

Meanwhile, the announcement was delivered directly through the official Instagram account @bank_indonesia. In the upload, BI said that it fully understands the aspirations of the community regarding the decision to postpone the distribution of scholarships.

In the upload, it was explained that the delay was carried out because Bank Indonesia was currently evaluating and strengthening governance for all activities of the Bank Indonesia Social Program, including the Scholarship Program.

"This evaluation is a form of responsibility to strengthen the foundation of the scholarship program by ensuring maximum accountability and positive impacts," he wrote on the official Bank Indonesia Instagram account, quoted on Thursday, June 12.

On the other hand, Bank Indonesia emphasized that it is committed to supporting the development of Indonesian human resources (HR), especially in the field of education.

For information since 2011, BI has distributed scholarships to 89,305 students and 2,590 vocational students in collaboration with 206 universities and 29 vocational schools throughout Indonesia.

Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continued to investigate allegations of corruption in the social responsibility fund (CSR) of Bank Indonesia (BI). Irwan as the former Head of the BI Institutional Relations Division was questioned about the annual budgeting process.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said Irwan was summoned as a witness on Tuesday, June 10. The examination was carried out at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta.

"Witnesses were present and investigated regarding the process of discussing Bank Indonesia's annual budget," Budi said in a written statement quoted on Thursday, June 12.

In this case, the anti-corruption commission has also summoned former Head of the Communication Department of Bank Indonesia (BI) Erwin Haryono on Monday, June 2. He is suspected of knowing the budgeting process to disbursement of Bank Indonesia Social Program (PSBI) or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.

Previously reported, the KPK is investigating allegations of corruption in the Social Responsibility Fund (CSR) of Bank Indonesia (BI). The investigation uses a general investigation warrant (sprindik) signed in the third week of December 2024.

There are no suspects in the regulation. However, two people or even more have the potential to be charged after a search was carried out at the Bank Indonesia office to the Financial Services Authority (OJK) on Monday night, December 16, 2024.

In this case, the KPK has also examined a number of parties. Among them are DPR member of the NasDem Party faction Satori and Member of the DPR Gerindra Party faction Heri Gunawan.

Investigators have also searched Satori's house in the Cirebon area, West Java. From the search process, investigators found documents allegedly related to the alleged corruption of BI's CSR funds.

Investigators have also searched Heri Gunawan's house and found evidence including documents. The BI CSR funds allegedly flowed to a number of foundations and became assets enjoyed by related parties.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the KPK, Setyo Budiyanto, confirmed that the CSR BI fund corruption case would enter a new chapter. The follow-up to the investigation based on a general investigation warrant (sprindik) will be carried out by investigators.

"Later, we'll see, later. Maybe the next stage will be followed up by investigators soon," Setyo told reporters in the Grand Indonesia Mall area, Central Jakarta, Friday, May 9.

Setyo confirmed that this case would be thoroughly investigated. He also denied any intervention to determine the suspect.

"(This case, red) we finished. There is no (intervention, red)," he said.