Firli Bahuri Knows Who Are The Ministers Who Become Coal Miners, Claims To Have Whispered The Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources

KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri (Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Firli Bahuri, admitted that he knew which ministers in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet were coal miners. He even said that he had whispered to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Arifin Tasrif, regarding this matter.

He made this statement when he spoke about the scarcity of coal at the 2022 Integrated Corruption Prevention Coordination Meeting in the Bali Region on Friday, March 18.

Initially, Firli mentioned the scarcity of coal for PT PLN Persero which occurred in January-February. The former Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK said that at that time he had contacted the coordinating ministers and the minister in charge of ESDM.

"I'm telling you what's wrong. Indonesia has abundant coal but why does PLN have a problem with coal shortages and scarcity", Firli said as quoted from the Bali Provincial Government YouTube, Monday, March 21.

From there, Firli said, it was known that there were businessmen who did not comply with government orders. "What is that? The government has outlined a domestic market obligation, an order for the domestic market, 25 percent of coal is regulated domestically", he explained.

Not only businessmen, he later mentioned that there were ministers who turned out to be miners. Firli admitted that he had informed the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif who these people were.

"I told the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, I know who the miners are. Some even become mining ministers", said Firli.

Against this condition, Firli then asked Arifin Tasrif to revoke the mining permit of the disobedient miners and businessmen. This step is important because they do not comply with the applicable laws and regulations.

"Be orderly, revoke the permit. I said that those who do not comply with government orders and laws, revoke the permit", he asserted.

In addition, Firli also briefly mentioned the scarcity of cooking oil. He claimed to have invited nine ministers in the Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin government such as the Coordinating Minister for Economics, the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Trade, to the President Director of Perum Bulog and related stakeholders regarding this matter and had provided suggestions.

"I said at that time, one, we build a national system of commodity balances so that we know how much we produce, how much we need, if it's not enough, it means imports if it's imported, who is the importer", he said.

"After the import, who is the importer, after the import enters Indonesia, whether it is used for industry or public consumption, everything is open", added Firli.

With these various works, Firli emphasized that the KPK had been trying to prevent it. He said the anti-corruption commission was no longer just waiting for people to be arrested but also proposing solutions to state problems.

"That's what the KPK does, sir, it's not just waiting for people to be arrested. The KPK is here, not just making arrests! The KPK is here for the benefit of the nation and state", he concluded.