Ex-Directorate General Of Regional Finance Becomes Suspect For Bribery Of PEN Funds, Ministry Of Home Affairs: Actions Of Individuals

Former Director General (Dirjen) of Regional Finance, Ardian Noervianto/DOK VOI - Wardhany Tsa Tsia

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) respects the legal process carried out by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) against the former Director General (Dirjen) of Regional Finance, Ardian Noervianto.

This was conveyed in response to Ardian's determination as a suspect in receiving bribes for managing the Regional National Economic Recovery (PEN) loan on Thursday, January 27 yesterday.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs respects every law enforcement process that is being carried out while still upholding the principle of presumption of innocence," said the Special Staff of the Minister of Home Affairs for Politics and Media, Kastorius Sinaga in a written statement, Friday, January 28.

Kastorius even said that Ardian's actions by asking for compensation of three percent in an effort to manage loan funds were individual.

"What happened to the alleged unlawful act by a former Ministry of Home Affairs official was an individual act," he said.

He also emphasized that the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian has always been committed to preventing corruption in his ministry. In fact, every time he holds a meeting, the former Chief of Police is said to always remind his subordinates to work according to the laws and regulations.

Even so, the Ministry of Home Affairs will conduct a thorough evaluation after Ardian is named a suspect. Not only that, the supervision of the ranks in the ministry will be further enhanced.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs took lessons and made this event a momentum to conduct a thorough evaluation and continue to increase efforts to supervise and develop institutional and apparatus resources," said Kastorius.

As previously reported, Ardian was named along with two other suspects in this case. They are the inactive East Kolaka Regent Andi Merya Nur and the Head of the Muna Laode Regency Environment Service M. Syukur Akbar. .

With that position, Ardian has the duty and authority to carry out one form of government investment, namely the loan of PEN funds from the central government to local governments. This loan is provided through PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur according to regional needs.

Seeing this condition, Andi Merya as the Regent of East Kolaka contacted Laode M Syukur for assistance in obtaining a PEN fund loan for the region he leads. Then in May 2021, Andi finally met with Ardian and asked for a loan of IDR 350 billion.

Furthermore, it was agreed to provide compensation in the form of money in the amount of three percent in stages from the loan application. Andi then fulfilled this agreement by sending Rp2 billion to Laode M Syukur's bank account. This money is just the beginning.

Of the money, then there was a distribution with details Ardian received 131 thousand Singapore dollars or equivalent to Rp. 1.5 billion and Laode M Syukur got a share of Rp. 500 million. This transaction was carried out at Ardian's private house in Jakarta.